After having its casino license suspended in the wake of the June 2 shooting and arson attack that left 38 people dead, the Resorts World Manila complex has today reportedly resumed gaming operations following inspections by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation regulator.
According to a report from GGRAsia, the revelation came from the property’s operator, Travellers International Hotel Group Incorporated, after it instituted requested improvements inside the Manila venue including the installation of additional x-ray machines and metal detectors alongside the hiring of a new security service.
“Travellers International Hotel Group Incorporated received today a letter from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation lifting the June 9 suspension order of the company’s provisional license [and] noting that the company has taken action to address issues in its safety and security procedures as well as the welfare of the at least 6,000-strong workforce of the company and their families whose livelihoods are affected by the suspension,” read a Thursday statement from Travellers International Hotel Group Incorporated to the Philippine Stock Exchange. “In line with this, the company is happy to announce that the gaming areas not affected by the June 2 incident will commence operations today.”
Travellers International Hotel Group Incorporated is a joint venture between local firm Alliance Global Group Incorporated and Asian casino giant Genting Hong Kong Limited and it moreover noted that it had employed a team of experts to assess and improve safety and security systems inside the Philippines venue along with doubling the number of its on-site armed guards.
Earlier this week saw Andrea Domingo, Chief Executive Officer for the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, reveal that the closure was costing the state $277,000 a day in lost tax revenues while the regulator subsequently declared that its lifting of the suspension order in no way excused the company or its employees from “any criminal liability” assigned by “government investigating bodies.”
In a separate Thursday statement, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation explained that its decision to reinstate the casino license for Resorts World Manila had been taken “after careful scrutiny and deliberations” due to Travellers International Hotel Group Incorporated implementation of “required security and safety improvements”.
“Aside from compliance with security and safety improvements, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has lifted the suspension order in consideration of Travellers International Hotel Group’s 6,000 gaming operations workforce, whose livelihood is now affected,” read the statement from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. “Also, the government loses an average of $277,000 per day or $8.5 million a month as a result of the suspension order.”