BETWEEN March 3 and December 1, 2021, electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in three licensed casinos yielded 24 jackpots to lucky players with total winnings hitting P594.69 million.
Government auditors, however, said none of the 24 jackpot wins were reflected in the machines, indicating errors in the EGMs or non-compliance with the technical standards of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
Auditors noted all 24 unmetered jackpot wins happened in three casinos operating in the Entertainment City (E-City) in Parañaque, Metro Manila.
“Examination of the Income Summary Reports revealed adjustments to the GGR (gross gaming revenues) totaling P594.687 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Majority of the adjustments represent unmetered jackpots in three licensed casinos located in Entertainment City,” the audit team said.
It added that the errors necessitated adjustments in the GGR, thereby affecting the “reliability and accuracy” of the reported incomes of the casinos as well as the license fees they remit to the Pagcor.
The COA added that nine other licensed casinos reported only minimal or zero unmetered jackpot results.
The Pagcor management informed auditors that the occurrence of unmetered jackpot payouts is not unusual and is caused by several reasons, including programming or mechanical error, display or machine setting errors, or even influx of high voltage current.
It assured the COA that there are measures in place in the system to preserve the integrity of the EGM performance.
Likewise, all EGMs are tested and certified for compliance with technical standards by a reputable and independent gaming laboratory before being put in operation.
The Pagcor added that all EGMs allowed in casinos come from suppliers accredited by the state gaming agency.
When unmetered jackpot payouts happen, the Pagcor said the data are manually reconciled with the management system module and validated with the licensee’s reports.
