Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has softened his stance on gambling expansion.
“That gambling-gambling, I will not meddle with it anymore, just do not enter. I cannot control it, really… I will let you in, but not extortion or drugs,” Rodrigo Duterte said while attending a campaign. “I am not trying to encourage you… I cannot stop it anyway and I know I am lacking,” Rodrigo added.
This is a big change in tone for the fiery president, who in the past has said “I will not allow gambling… I hate gambling.” Because of that stance, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has been barred from approving new licenses to potential casino operations.