Late Sunday night the Manila Bulletin reported on a looming “exodus” of online gaming operators (POGOs) from the Philippines, quoting PAGCOR Chair and Chief Executive Andrea Domingo. When asked to confirm rumors that junket operator Suncity Group had ceased its Philippine offshore business, the PAGCOR Chief Executive replied, “Yes.”
The Bulletin also reported that Jose Tria, PAGCOR’s Assistant Vice President for Offshore Gaming Licensing, added, “I’ve heard there are other companies that also plan to cancel their licenses, but I haven’t received their official letters so I can’t name them yet.”
Suncity Group responded directly to Inside Asian Gaming in the wake of the PAGCOR comments reported last night, saying, “Suncity Group spares no effort to develop itself as a global integrated VIP entertainment conglomerate. The junket business in Manila is definitely important to us and we can’t find any reason to leave Manila at this particular moment.
“In regards to the comment provided by Mdm Andrea Domingo, we think she is referring to telebetting services, which has nothing to do with the junket business that Suncity Group operates in Manila.
“We will continue to develop our VIP entertainment business in licensed gaming operators in Manila, and provide seamless VIP services to our guests.”
Suncity Group is Asia’s leading provider of VIP entertainment services and is in the process of expanding into casino and integrated resort operations. The company held an exclusive preview opening of its 34%-owned Vietnam IR Hoiana on Sunday, holds a 24.74% stake in Summit Ascent Holdings – which operates Russian resort Tigre de Cristal – and is developing a US$700 million hotel and casino at Manila’s Westside City Resorts World.
Suncity is also a leading contender to develop an integrated resort in Japan and is one of only two companies to qualify earlier this year for the Request for Proposal process in Wakayama.
Dubbed IR2.0, Suncity’s Wakayama IR concept aims to celebrate the region’s culture, historical traditions and natural landscapes while taking advantage of Suncity’s own resources, networks, advantages and experience in resort management.
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