Friday, November 16, 2007 Pagcor-Davao turns 21 By Jojie Alcantara Witerary
CASINO Filipino Davao celebrated its 21st anniversary last September 2007 by conducting several activities, namely, an outreach program on September 15, a bloodletting activity on September 27, a musical concert on September 28, and the recognition of 20 years service awardees on September 29, 2007.
Pagcor has gone a long way since its decision to take full control of all casino operations instead of just being a monitoring and regulatory body. From 1976 to 1986, Pagcor's income averaged P348 million per year.
Currently, Pagcor is one of the country's top three earners for the government with a staggering amount of P23.4 billion in 2005.
In line with Pagcor's thrust to increase income and widen its base, partnerships have been created, comprised of the following: Bingo Gaming Operations which contributed P1.48B in 2005 from in-house bingo and bingo franchises; Slot Machine Arcades/VIP Clubs which is quite popular among foreign tourists and prominent members of society because they offer state-of-the art token-less gaming; Electronic Bingo wherein Pagcor received P389.36 million share in 2005 which is a remarkable increase from the previous year; and Chipwashing operations which contributed to the income growth of Pagcor in 2005.
In Davao City, these include three Bingo venues (Fiesta Bingo, Davao Bingo & Lucky 7 Bingo), Metro Madayaw Poker Club located inside the casino Madayaw room, satellite slot machine VIP club at the Apo View Hotel, and the Royale Casino Davao also at Apo View Hotel.
The Royale Casino Davao is just one of the many chipwashing operations in the Philippines. There are six operating nationwide at present. Under a chipwashing operation agreement, Pagcor grants a proponent the privilege to bring in foreign junket players to play in a designated gaming area.
The proponent rents the gaming area, provides the capital for the games and brings in the players. Pagcor, on the other hand, provides the gaming tables, gaming paraphernalia including playing cards and chips, and the personnel; and charging a fixed monthly rate as rental of the equipment plus the salaries and wages of the personnel assigned thereat.
This marketing strategy is most cost effective because Pagcor is able to generate additional funds for the government without spending much on marketing and promotions.
The government is assured of a fixed income regardless of the games' outcome and the host city usually benefits in terms of increased economic activity brought in by the tourists.
This strategy is one of the reasons why Pagcor's income increased by more than 34% since 2001.
In celebration of Casino Filipino Davao's 21st anniversary, an outreach program was conducted in Marilog District last September 15. The Matigsalog and other indigenous people from the hinterlands of Marilog were the main beneficiaries of the program. The activity was jointly undertaken in cooperation with the Davao Medical Center, City Government of Davao thru Councilor Karlo Bello, and other socio-civic organizations. (React to witty@info.com.ph, or browse website www.witerary.com)
