PAGCOR Sets 2027 Smart Table Conversion Deadline

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) is set to introduce a smart table technology requirement for Manila’s four Entertainment City integrated resorts from January 1, 2027.

The initial group will include City of Dreams Manila, Okada Manila, Newport World Resorts, and Solaire Resort Entertainment City, with the regulator requiring integrated resort licensees to begin the conversion of their gaming tables to smart technology.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco confirmed the planned rollout in comments to Inside Asian Gaming during the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Tengco clarified that the January 1 deadline concerns the start of the conversion process, rather than requiring every gaming table to have been converted by that date. The first phase will focus on integrated resorts operating in Entertainment City.

Entertainment City Leads Smart Table Rollout

Under the planned guidelines, integrated resort operators will be required to begin converting their gaming tables to smart table technology in 2027.

For the initial implementation, PAGCOR will concentrate on the four integrated resorts located in Manila’s Entertainment City: City of Dreams Manila, Okada Manila, Newport World Resorts, and Solaire Resort Entertainment City.

Tengco said most of the affected resorts have already started preparing for the transition. According to the PAGCOR chief, several operators are therefore moving ahead of the formal requirement and are expected to have smart table technology in use by early 2027.

The regulator plans to extend the requirement beyond Entertainment City at a later stage. Integrated resorts in Clark and Cebu, as well as other casinos across the Philippines, could subsequently be brought under the framework.

Technology to Strengthen Casino Oversight

The introduction of smart tables is intended to provide PAGCOR with more direct visibility into casino transactions and gaming activity.

Smart table systems allow gaming activity at casino tables to be monitored while providing operators and regulators with access to transaction data. PAGCOR views the technology as part of its broader effort to strengthen oversight of casino operations in the Philippines.

The initial rollout is expected to focus on baccarat tables, with other table games potentially included as the smart table requirement develops.

Smart table technology remains limited among Philippine casino operators. Solaire’s properties in Entertainment City and Quezon City currently use Angel’s hybrid system, while Newport World Resorts has recently installed a solution supplied by Walker Digital Table Systems.

These installations mean some operators are already using technology that will become increasingly relevant as PAGCOR implements its new requirements.

PAGCOR Expands Smart Gaming Infrastructure in Angeles City

Separately, PAGCOR is preparing a dedicated area for smart tables and new electronic gaming machines at its Casino Filipino branch in Angeles City.

Tengco said the casino has recently undergone renovation. The Angeles City property is one of PAGCOR’s largest and most profitable self-owned casinos.

The planned area will provide space for smart tables and electronic gaming machines as PAGCOR continues introducing updated technology across its casino operations.

No specific deadline has yet been announced for casinos outside Entertainment City. PAGCOR is expected to extend the smart table requirement to additional integrated resorts and casinos at a later stage.