In the end the good sense always prevail. This is exactly what is happening right now in the Philippines.
In August, the current 71-year-old president Rodrigo Duterte, had instructed the PAGC (Philippine Amusement And Gaming Corporation), which is the regulating body of gambling in the Philippines, not to extend the expired licences for the major online game development company PhilWeb Corporation and stop the distribution and operation of e-Games to shops around the country.
More then 285 e-Games shops across the country suffered from this decision which have put almost 5,000 jobs at risk. Amongst the most popular games available where slots, video poker, roulette and many other casino related games. This drastic decision was taken in view of the determination to eliminate online gambling from the Philippines from president Duterte.
Despite all of this however, president Duterte realised that PhilWeb Corporation was one of the biggest contributors in the economy with more than 40% collected from this industry only!
So, it was then when the president decided to renew PhilWeb Corporation’s license to operate again in 131 shops with the condition that none of them operates near schools, churches or any other areas where people do not afford to play such games.
Gregorio Ma Araneta, PhilWeb Corporation’s chairman said that the company will start working straight away in re-opening some of the closed shops by the end of the year and start obtaining new licences as well.
“About 5,000 people are expecting this. I am not the one who’s hurting. The business is there, the longer you keep us closed, the harder it would be for the operators.” Gregorio sad to the Manila Times.
