Online Casinos Catering to Chinese Market in the Philippines Facing Shutdowns

April 30, 2021 iGaming & Gambling

Half of the more than 60 online casinos in the Philippines have permanently shut due to coronavirus restrictions, affecting as many as 30,000 foreign workers

According to Chariman Andrea Domingo, the Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corp. expects its gaming revenue to drop to as low as 16 billion pesos ($330 million) this year from about 30 billion pesos in 2020 as strict movement curbs in the capital region remain.

Revenue from online casinos, which cater mostly to Chinese clients, will likely be less than half the usual earnings of 8 billion to 9 billion pesos.

Domingo said, “Manpower is really a problem. Chinese nationals can’t go to the Philippines, so no one can take bets,”

Some operators will likely transfer to Vietnam, Myanmar and Malaysia, while bigger online casinos may return to the Philippines once travel restrictions ease and there’s clarity on proposals to tax the industry