Asia
Macau casinos donate about US$ 200 million to charities
![](https://europeangaming.eu/portal/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/d5e5d948-dd61-11e6-8fcb-68eb4ed7497.jpg)
A study conducted by the Institute for Social and Cultural Research at the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) has revealed that six casino operators in Macau have contributed a total of HKD1.56 billion (close to US$200 million) to charity organisations in the seven years between 2011 and 2017.
However, that amount is only a small fraction, 0.085 per cent to be precise, of the combined gross revenues of these companies during the reporting period. They said the findings were based on information available on various sources such as companies’ respective annual reports and official websites, as well as on media reports.
The donations were mainly directed to education, scientific research, environmental protection, and disaster relief, stated the report.
The amount donated to charities by the city’s six casino concessionaires declined by an annual average of 6.48 per cent between 2011 and 2017, said Lin Guangzhi, director of the Institute for Social and Cultural Research, in the press briefing. He added that the findings of the study showed that there was room for the casino operators to increase their donations to charity causes, as well as to update their respective policies regarding donations.
According to the document, the firms’ donations to charities followed the trend of gross gaming revenue (GGR) performance in the Macau market. Such GGR underwent a three-year contraction starting in 2014.
The report stated that Wynn Macau Ltd, Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. and Sands China Ltd. were the biggest contributors during the reporting period, donating respectively HKD745.8 million, HKD430.1 million and HKD117.4 million.
The tally of casino operator donations “can be increased, and it should be done in a more effective way,” suggested Prof. Lin, as quoted by Portuguese-language newspaper Jornal Tribuna de Macau.
The scholar added that the city’s casino operators could wish to consider a more methodical and efficient approach to charitable donations.
“The casino operators should create their own departments to oversee charitable donations, including long-term mechanisms and a more professional approach,” he reportedly said.
Macau already levies an effective tax rate of 39 per cent on casino GGR – 35 per cent in direct government tax, and the remainder in a number of levies to pay for a range of community good causes.
MUST is currently conducting one of two studies commissioned from outside bodies by the Macau government on the possible development of the city’s gaming sector in the period between 2020 and 2030. That start of that period coincides with the expiry of the current six gaming licences on the Macau market.
According to the government, one study would look at social and economic issues, and the other at “healthy development” of the industry and regional competition. The studies are due to be completed by the third quarter of 2018.
Source: ggrasia.com
Asia
PAGCOR BRAVES FLOODS TO HELP DISASTER-HIT COMMUNITIES
![](https://europeangaming.eu/portal/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/PAGCOR-BRAVES-FLOODS-TO-HELP-DISASTER-HIT-COMMUNITIES_20240726_120712_0000.png)
At the height of the downpour and massive flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces Wednesday, volunteer teams from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) started bringing relief packs to affected communities.
Classes and government work were suspended on Wednesday and Thursday due to the widespread flooding, but PAGCOR volunteers went into action nevertheless.
“Even at the height of the flooding, and even before the President ordered government agencies to provide assistance to affected communities, PAGCOR employees already went to action to help those in need,” PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said.
The PAGCOR chief said that since July 24, the agency has delivered more than 21,000 food and non-food relief packs for thousands of affected families.
“After the heavy rains subsided and it was safe to do so, we started bringing immediate aid to flooded communities in Caloocan City on Wednesday, followed by relief operations in Valenzuela, Malabon and Malolos, Bulacan the next day,” he said.
Mr. Tengco added that PAGCOR was scheduled to distribute relief goods to the cities of Marikina and Navotas on Friday as well as to affected towns in Bulacan like Calumpit and Bulakan which were all submerged in floodwater.
“It has been second nature to PAGCOR to immediately respond to the needs of affected communities in times of disasters,” he said.
“We understand that while it is part of our mandate to contribute to nation-building, it is also our moral obligation to help ease the plight of Filipinos in times when they need help the most,” the PAGCOR chief added.
He said PAGCOR’s relief operations are ongoing, with more employees volunteering to help repack relief goods Saturday and Sunday in the agency’s warehouse in Imus, Cavite to support distribution efforts in the coming days in Bataan, Batangas and Cavite.
Asia
AGTech Wins Lottery Terminal Supply Tenders for Shaanxi, Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces
![](https://europeangaming.eu/portal/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/4-9.jpg)
Lottery and integrated technology and services company AGTech Holdings Limited (AGTech) has announced that one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries has successfully won procurement tenders to supply lottery terminals to Sports Lottery Administration Centres in Shaanxi province, Zhejiang province and Jiangsu province of the People’s Republic of China.
AGTech already has previous success in the China market, having won a bid in 2018 for supplying its new dual, touchscreen lottery terminals to the Chinese provinces of Guizhou, Shanghai and Hebei.
Even before this, AGTech introduced new instant win games, launched in partnership with Chinese logistics firm SF Holdings across Shenzen, Nanchang, Changsha and Nanjing.
Asia
Philippine President Marcos Announces Ban on POGOs
![](https://europeangaming.eu/portal/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2-8.jpg)
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has banned the establishment of any new Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), also known as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs), with immediate effect. Existing POGO operators will have until the end of the year to wind down their operations.
The verdict, not entirely unexpected, was delivered during his State of the Nation Address in Manila on Monday following widespread pressure from a Senate investigation into illegal POGO-linked activities.
“Effective today, all POGOs are banned. I hereby instruct [gaming regulator] PAGCOR to wind down and cease the operations of POGOs by the end of the year,” Marcos said in his SONA.
The decision to shut down POGOs follows a series of recent raids on illegal POGO compounds in Pampanga and Tarlac amid allegations they had been engaging in human trafficking and scam activities.
A full ban, proposed by multiple senators, had also gained the support of the Department of Finance (DOF) and the National Economic and Development Authority.
-
Eastern Europe5 days ago
7777 gaming is now available on WINBET Romania
-
Gambling in the USA5 days ago
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – July 15-21
-
Gaming5 days ago
MainStreaming Announces Appointment of Nicola Micali as Chief Customer Officer
-
Industry News5 days ago
Safer Gambling Tools Use Hits Record High in 2023 – New Report from EGBA
-
Australia5 days ago
Australian eSports Star Joins Team Liquid
-
eSports5 days ago
INSPIRED LAUNCHES RE-PLAY ESPORTS™ FEATURING CS:GO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KAIZEN GAMING
-
eSports5 days ago
NODWIN(R) Gaming ropes in Android as title partner for BGMS Season 3; to be powered by Garnier Men
-
Latest News5 days ago
Spinomenal shines again with Super Wild Fruits release