Hakan Dagtas, Chief Operating Officer of the firm, announced that Newport World Resorts will launch live table games next month. The resort already operates 50 slot machines for PIGO gamers. However, by introducing live tables, it aims to expand its offerings and attract more players.
Regulators introduced the PIGO licensing system during the Covid-19 pandemic to allow land-based casinos in the Philippines to offer online gambling to local players. At the time, government restrictions prevented customers from visiting casinos in person. Despite the return to normal operations, PIGO has remained in place and continues to support the country’s gaming industry during its post-pandemic recovery.
As the name suggests, PIGO licenses apply exclusively to domestic online gambling services. In contrast, POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) licenses authorize operators to serve foreign-based customers. Over the past few years, China has ramped up efforts to deter mainland residents from gambling online, which placed POGO licensees under greater scrutiny.
PIGO differs from standard online gambling because it requires a physical connection. Operators must link their games to actual gaming machines or tables located inside their facilities. For that reason, the industry classifies PIGO as a form of remote gambling rather than fully digital play.
Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. owns and manages Newport World Resorts. Alliance Global Group Inc., a major Philippine conglomerate, controls Travellers. With this latest development, Newport World Resorts continues to evolve, respond to market trends, and strengthen its foothold in regulated digital gaming.
