Evan Spytma, CEO of Casino Plus, highlighted the potential for expansion in the Philippines, especially in areas beyond the crowded Metro Manila region. He shared these insights during a discussion at the G2E Asia conference, which focused on emerging markets in the gaming industry. Spytma emphasised that regions outside Metro Manila hold great promise for growth, as they are less saturated and present new opportunities. The conversation was part of a broader look at how different markets are evolving and the future of gaming in these areas.
What Spytma Said
Evan Spytma, CEO of Casino Plus, expressed his belief that there is significant potential for growth in the Philippines. He mentioned this during a conference in Macau. Spytma noted that much of the development has been centered around Metro Manila. However, he pointed out that there are still opportunities for growth in Central and Southern regions, as well as in the Northern area, specifically Clark. He also highlighted that South Korean tourists have been the largest group of foreign visitors to the Philippines for the past 13 years, showing a strong interest in the mass market. Despite this, Spytma suggested that the Manila market might not focus exclusively on this demographic.
He remarked that attention should be given to the local population and the mass market. For instance, many players enjoy popular slots with small bets, typically ranging from PHP0.5 to PHP1, which is just a few cents. Spytma recognised the importance of the online gaming market, emphasizing that operators must consider this channel due to its profitability. He also noted the growing dominance of e-wallets like GCash and Maya in the Philippines. Many companies in the industry are already integrating their services into these e-wallet platforms.
The Overlap
Spytma discussed the connection between land-based and online gaming. He pointed out that many players who visit the casino also engage with their online offerings. He stated that these players often enjoy their time at the physical location and continue to play online, demonstrating strong loyalty to the brand. He also addressed the differences between virtual games and physical games. Spytma highlighted that Casino Plus offers physical slot machines that players can access remotely. He explained that this approach allows players to interact with real machines online.
He noted that the casino went live with physical slots available online for this reason. A camera monitors the physical machines, allowing players to enter the casino, deposit money, and play those machines remotely at any time. This innovative setup creates a seamless experience between in-person and online gaming, enhancing player engagement.
The PAGCOR Stat
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) recently reported strong growth in the country’s gaming revenues. For the first quarter of the year, the gross gaming revenues (GGR) reached PHP81.70 billion, which is about $1.42 billion. This represents an impressive increase of 18.54 percent compared to the same period last year.
This significant rise in revenue highlights the recovery and expansion of the gaming industry in the Philippines. It indicates that more players are participating in various gaming activities, both online and in land-based casinos. The increase can be attributed to several factors, including improved marketing strategies, the reopening of venues after pandemic-related restrictions, and a growing interest in gaming among locals and tourists.
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