Operator News

Philippines – Resorts World Manila reopens ground floor casino

By Phil - 29 June 2017

Resorts World Manila has now resumed some of its casino operations following the lifting of a suspension order from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

The state regulator said that Resorts World’s owners Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc. (TIHGI) had complied with the agency’s required security and safety improvements, which led to the lifting of the suspension order effective June 29 following the June 2 shooting and arson incident that killed 38 people dead.

Whilst the ground floor gaming floor has reopened, gaming areas on the second and third floors where former Department of Finance employee Jessie Javier Carlos set gaming tables on fire before killing himself, remain closed.

The casino will no longer use the second floor for gaming but will return gaming operations to the third floor.

Kingson Sian, Resorts World Manila’s President and CEO, said: “With PAGCOR’s assistance and guidance, we can now start the difficult task of rebuilding as it is also our responsibility to take care of our 6,000 staff and personnel. We are bringing back the gaming operations on the ground and third floors of our integrated resort. The second floor will no longer be used for casino operations and will be utilized for other non-gaming purposes instead.”

Resorts World Manila’sChief Operating Officer Stephen James Reilly added: “We will rebuild and make Resorts World better and stronger. A big part of this is to bring in world experts. We are going all out to reassure everybody, our nearly six thousand employees and their families, and the millions who come to visit, that their safety is our priority.”

Since the attack, Resorts World has worked with Hong Kong-based security firm Blackpanda, an expert in crisis response, risk management, and security consulting, to tighten its security and safety protocols.

“We are determined to regain people’s trust after the tragic incident. Blackpanda’s breadth of experience covers over 1000 missions across 50 countries in six continents,” he added. “They have successfully conducted peacetime advisory operations and even counter terrorist combat missions.”
As part of the improved Casino Security Protective Action Plans, Resorts World Manila has had to employ a new security agency and experts to assess and improve safety and security systems. It has also has to double the number of x-ray machines and metal detectors, and the number of deployed guards with firearms.

PAGCOR, who was losing an average P14m a day or P434ma month in revenue when the casino was closed, said it had also had to consider the welfare of the venue’s 6,000 gaming employees. The government was also losing share as a result of the suspension order.

Pagcor Chair Andrea Domingo said: “They have over 6,000 people. They’re paying their salaries now, but the company cannot sustain that indefinitely. These employees may lose their jobs,” she said. “Plus the fact that we may not be able to meet our commitment to the Governance Commission for Government-owned and controlled corporations of P57bn in earnings this year, because Resorts World Manila contributes about P4bn a year.”

Pagcor added: “PAGCOR would like to maintain its position that the lifting of suspension order does not disregard TIHGI’s officers and personnel of any criminal liability, which is to be determined by government investigating bodies.”