written and last updated by
Sam Smith at
26 Jun 2024
Journalist, Editorial Department
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) plans to establish a Gaming Academy in the country and foster partnerships with Asian educational service providers. The regulator aims to create a consortium that will support individuals looking to build careers in the gaming industry.
PAGCOR representatives announced this initiative during a private event organized this week by BMM Testlabs and the Polytechnic University of Macau (MPU). The signing of the necessary agreement is expected to take place in November 2024.
Dr. Angelito Domingo, PAGCOR's Vice President for Human Resources and Development, described the initiative as part of the transformation of PAGCOR into a purely regulatory body. As approximately 40 small and medium-sized casinos across the country are sold to private businesses, over 6,000 PAGCOR employees will have new career opportunities.
Speaking to a group of industry experts and academics, Domingo stated, "We want to continuously develop talent. We must improve, move forward, and transform." He cited Japan as an example, where a gaming school is already in operation, even though the first casino resort is not set to open until 2030.
Domingo emphasized that gaming will always exist, regardless of its form. He added that the proposed Academy will not only cater to interns but will also offer specializations and potentially postgraduate programs in gaming tourism.
Daniel Cecilio, PAGCOR's Vice President for Licensing and Regulation of Land-Based Operations, also advocated for the launch of the Gaming Academy. He recalled his own journey from a regular dealer to his current leadership position. Cecilio supports not only the establishment of a high-level gaming training institute but also PAGCOR's complete transition to regulatory functions.
It is worth noting that a new gaming regulator may soon emerge in the Philippines.
