Japanese gaming conglomerate Universal Entertainment says its Okada Manila casino resort in Manila has been authorized by the local regulator to offer online gaming services.

Universal Entertainment said in a filing on Monday to JASDAQ that Tiger Resort had received a letter on 19 April from PAGCOR approving the company to take part in online gaming.

“The system is scheduled to go into operation after clearing various conditions, such as confirmation of compliance with casino regulations and test simulations, including proper collection of casino licence fees and anti-money laundering,” said Universal Entertainment.

The company added that Okada Manila was “the first among the four integrated resorts comprising Entertainment City in Metro Manila” to obtain such authorization.

In the authorization letter by PAGCOR attached to the group’s filing, it is stated that the regulator approved in a meeting on 15 April and Tiger Resort’s request to offer online entertainments like table games and electronic gaming machines at Okada Manila.

PAGCOR also stated that the system to be deployed by Tiger Resort to support online gaming “must be capable of being audited for proper determination of taxes and license fees.”

The system also “must be able to prevent minors/banned persons from playing,” and “must be able to include other safeguards such as prevention of money laundering and enforcement of responsible gaming,” as per PAGCOR’s letter. It additionally said “there should be no proliferation of online/remote gaming.”

Universal Entertainment see the approval of online gaming at Okada Manila as a “first step”. The firm added it would “continue to develop online sports betting gaming using its proprietary technology.”

It was unclear whether the authorization received by PAGCOR for online gaming referred to “PIGO”, or Philippine Inland Gaming Operator.

PIGO license are for online gambling services serving the domestic market, rather than the so-called POGO permits. The concept was introduced last year by PAGCOR, amid a plunge in revenue due to the harsh impact of the pandemic.

Casino operators can apply for a PIGO license: once approved by PAGCOR, they can offer online gambling services to existing registered members only.

The chief of the Philippine casino regulator said last December that three of Entertainment City gaming resorts were among venues earmarked to provide online services to domestic punters with PIGO license and one of them was Okada Manila.

Editing by Rachel Hu