The Cagayan Valley Satellite began operations on July 15, 2022 with 132 electronic gaming machines (EGMs), according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation's 2022 annual report1. The satellite operates under the supervision of CF Ilocos Norte, the report states1.
The report places the launch among a series of Philippine gaming openings and closures during 2022. It records Nustar Resort and Casino in Cebu City on May 8, 2022, and another venue "commencing operations on June 22 with 110 electronic game machines (EGMs)"1. The report also notes "The start of operations of Winford Resort & Casino Manila in Sta. Cruz, Manila on October 7, 2022"1.
The same report records the shutdown of a separate online sector. It states:
"A Memorandum from the Office of the President dated May 3, 2022 directed all licensed E-Sabong operators to shut down gaming websites and cease gaming operations"
The report says aborted E-Sabong operations registered Php2.02 billion in income1. It does not give the number of EGMs at CF Ilocos Norte itself, the location of the Cagayan Valley Satellite beyond its name, or the cost of the launch. Those details have not been reported1.
The report gives PAGCOR's wider 2022 results: industry gross gaming revenue of Php214.33 billion, an 89.52% increase from 2021, and agency revenues of Php58.96 billion, up 66.16% year on year1. Net income was Php4.44 billion, against Php203.57 million in 20211. Casino Filipino slot machine operations posted a 72.02% GGR increase to Php8.46 billion, and table games GGR was Php5.70 billion1.
What it means for players
The Cagayan Valley Satellite adds one more PAGCOR-operated venue in northern Luzon, supervised from Ilocos Norte, with 132 electronic gaming machines rather than table games1. For players in the region, that means an additional state-run site for machine play; the report does not state its exact address, opening hours, entry rules or which machines are installed1.
The report does not say whether the satellite accepts foreign visitors, what identification is required, or whether it is open to locals only. Those conditions have not been reported1. General entry and play rules for Philippine casinos are covered in the guide to gambling in the Philippines and in the overview of casinos and integrated resorts in Asia.
The E-Sabong shutdown recorded in the same report affected a different product, online cockfighting betting, and not machine or table gaming1. Players who used licensed E-Sabong platforms had those websites closed by direction of the Office of the President dated May 3, 20221.
What happens next
The report lists no further expansion, relocation or closure plans for the Cagayan Valley Satellite1. It records PAGCOR's 39th anniversary, marked from its founding day of July 11, 1983, and a strategic roadmap for 2023, without detailing satellite venue targets1.
Sources1 sources
- pagcor-annual-report-2022.pdf, pagcor.ph
