Just when Melco Crown Entertainment and other operators have gone heavily into the Manila market, they stand to take a hit from a 
potential Philippine Amusement & Gaming policy change that would end the Pagor’s monopoly on casino gambling outside Manila. Pagcor Chairman Cristino Naguiat said that there are (unspecified) areas in the archipelago that are “very ripe for a casino.” The criteria for entry would include a minimum $300 million investment. “We’re developing a template to ensure that no one would be granted a license unless an investment commitment is made,” Naguiat added.
A bigger loser than Melco could be Kazuo Okada, who has committed $2 billion to a casino resort in the Entertainment City district (pictured). BDO Unibank analyst Jonathan Ravelas warned that existing operators “will have to be on their toes” when facing the prospect of “world class” operators entering other areas of the Philippines. Melco stock didn’t take the news well, falling 6%. While Manila is a long way from rivaling Macao, once all four Entertainment City megaresorts are operational, the Philippines’ annual gaming haul is expected to reach $4 billion.
* Congratulations to Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs for initiating a combined heating/power system that “will capture heat from the engine’s exhaust gases and use it onsite.” The new technology, provided by UGI HVAC Enterprises, goes online this autumn and will reduce Pocono Downs’ carbon footprint by 3,900 metric tons a year. The racino made use of preliminary research by Penn State Hazleton engineering students are part of the selection process.
* Mobile gaming is predicted for enormous new acceptance, according to Juniper Research, which projects an additional 100 million players coming online by 2018,
