Vol. 9 • No. 2 • January 17, 2011 - Print This Issue
RSS 2.0 Feed
Vol. 9 • No. 2 • January 17, 2011, Featured Articles, GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCASTS
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Cristino “Bong” Naguiat, Chairman, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Christino “Bong” Naguiat, the chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), on his experience since taking over the government-owned casino company.
Download this Podcast Episode or Click Below to Play it.
The election of a new Philippine president, Benigno Simeon Aquino III, meant the turnover of leadership at PAGCOR. Aquino turned to his friend, Christino “Bong” Naguiat, to take over the quasi-government agency that runs the gaming industry in the Philippines. Naguiat found irregularities in how the agency had been run under the previous administration, and immediately set about investigating wrongdoing. At the same time, he had to right the ship and halt the decline in revenues that had been occurring for several years. He has even suggested that PAGCOR may be sold to a private concern, leaving the agency with only a regulatory task. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros at G2E in Las Vegas last November.
More Featured Articles
WEEKLY FEATURE: Coming Up Lame in Illinois
The Illinois legislature ended its lame duck session without adopting a gaming bill expansion, which includes slots at racetracks like Arlington Park (l.). However, the issue is likely to reemerge in the new session that just began, but a different group of lawmakers may come to the same conclusion.
Intra Jersey Approved
New Jersey becomes the first state in the U.S. to legalize intra-state online gaming, but the bill awaits the governor’s signature. While the way forward is not clear, it is unlikely to be challenged by the federal government because no bets would be accepted from any client outside state borders.
Florida Lawmakers To Consider Casino Gambling
State senators hear from Las Vegas developers who would like to build in the state, after new Governor Rick Scott meets with Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson. The Seminole Tribe, operators of the Hard Rock Hollywood Casino Resort (l.), already owns seven casinos and recently signed a five-year compact with the state.
Adelson: Take Those Sites and Shove Them
At an investment conference in Las Vegas, Sheldon Adelson (l.), the chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands, tells investors he’s willing to give up sites 7 and 9 in Macau, along with other gems.
Foxwoods Philly Seeks Second Chance
The partners in the Foxwoods Philadelphia project, including Stephen Cozen (l.), have petitioned the state gaming board to reconsider its decision stripping the partnership of its license.
CityCenter Gets Breathing Room
MGM Resorts last week completed a refinancing of part of the debt that it used to build CityCenter. With a $1.5 billion offering, the payoff dates were pushed back years.
New York Racinos: Undo Catskills Deal
Racino operators appeal to recently inaugurated New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to toss out the compact between former Governor David Paterson and a Wisconsin tribe, claiming that it will put them out of business, especially the successful Monticello racetrack (l.), which would be located closest to the tribal gaming hall.