China's President Xi Jinping (left) shakes hands with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during the opening ceremony of the 2019 Basketball World Cup in Beijing on August 30. Photo: AFP
Opinion
Opinion
Eye on Asia
Manila must play its cards right with Chinese offshore gambling, given Beijing’s warnings
- The spike in Chinese offshore gambling operators has brought jobs and revenue but also problems. Manila must work with Beijing to crack down on human trafficking, fraud and illegal operators
- Operators should also be encouraged to diversify investments in the Philippines
China's President Xi Jinping (left) shakes hands with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during the opening ceremony of the 2019 Basketball World Cup in Beijing on August 30. Photo: AFP
Small commercial spaces like this in Paranaque City have been faced with unreasonable rent increases since an old shopping mall named Pearl Plaza reopened to become an offshore gambling office employing thousands of Chinese workers. Photo: Martin San Diego
China turns the tables on Philippines’ offshore gambling habit
- The rise of offshore gambling in the Philippines has created winners and losers, as an influx of Chinese workers raises both revenue and rents
- But as Beijing pressures Manila for a clampdown, the odds for all involved may be changing
Topic |
The Philippines
Small commercial spaces like this in Paranaque City have been faced with unreasonable rent increases since an old shopping mall named Pearl Plaza reopened to become an offshore gambling office employing thousands of Chinese workers. Photo: Martin San Diego