PAGCOR Sets January 2027 Smart Table Deadline for Manila Casinos
Philippines.- 1 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com PAGCOR will require Manila’s major Entertainment City integrated resorts to begin converting traditional gaming tables to smart table technology by 1 January 2027.
The initiative is designed to strengthen regulatory oversight and provide greater visibility over transactions taking place across casino gaming floors.
Four Resorts Covered
The initial requirement will apply to:
- City of Dreams Manila.
- Okada Manila.
- Newport World Resorts.
- Solaire Resort Entertainment City.
For now, the mandate will focus specifically on Entertainment City properties.
Conversion Must Begin in 2027
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco confirmed that integrated resorts must, at a minimum, have begun the conversion process by 1 January 2027.
Operators will not necessarily need to have converted every table by that date, but they must demonstrate that implementation is underway.
Baccarat First
The initial phase is expected to cover baccarat tables.
Other casino games are due to be included at a later stage as the smart table programme develops.
The phased approach allows operators to transition gradually before the technology expands across the wider gaming floor.
Greater Transaction Visibility
Smart tables can automatically track wagers, chips and activity taking place during games.
For PAGCOR, the technology provides greater transparency and more detailed real-time insight into casino transactions.
Operators Already Moving
Tengco said the majority of major integrated resorts have already started their conversion.
Several properties are therefore expected to be compliant ahead of the formal deadline.
Solaire and Newport World Resorts are among those that have already deployed smart table technology.
Existing Systems
Solaire’s properties in Entertainment City and Quezon City use a hybrid solution from Angel.
Newport World Resorts has also recently installed technology from Walker Digital Table Systems.
These deployments show that the transition is already under way in the Philippine market.
Future Regional Expansion
The first stage will be limited to Entertainment City.
PAGCOR is expected to extend the requirement at a later date to integrated resorts in locations including Clark and Cebu.
Other casinos around the country could eventually be brought into the framework.
Casino Filipino Modernisation
PAGCOR is also introducing smart table technology at its own Casino Filipino property in Angeles City.
The recently renovated casino will include an area dedicated to smart tables and new electronic gaming machines.
Angeles City is one of PAGCOR’s largest and most profitable self-operated casino properties.
Industry Context
Smart table adoption is accelerating across the Asian casino industry.
The technology can support improved accuracy, security, player analytics, operational monitoring and table management.
In the Philippines, PAGCOR also sees it as a tool for strengthening the country’s regulatory framework.
Next Steps or Impact
The four Entertainment City resorts will need to demonstrate that conversion has begun from January 2027.
Baccarat will be the initial focus before smart table requirements expand to other games and properties.
The policy represents another step towards greater digitalisation of Philippine casinos and gives PAGCOR more detailed real-time oversight of gaming floor activity.
Editó: @fonta
