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V¨ªdeo: Joe Pisano habla sobre el cambio regulatorio en Filipinas y la transformaci¨®n del juego en Asia
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In this SiGMA Asia interview, Joe Pisano, Founder and CEO of Jade Entertainment and Gaming Technologies, discusses the shifting iGaming regulatory landscape in the Philippines, legislative developments across Asia, and Jade¡¯s evolving focus as a Pan-Asian technology supplier.
A Pan-Asian footprint with a tech-forward vision
Founded in 2009 in the Philippines, Jade Entertainment operates across both land-based and online gaming verticals, including sports betting and a fantasy cricket product in Sri Lanka. Pisano shared that the company¡¯s current trajectory is increasingly technology-oriented.
“Our focus in the past couple of years has been directed towards technology… I see our growth in the next few years has been more of a tech company than a pure gaming company.”
He added that the integration of AI and Web3 is set to play a central role in the future of Jade¡¯s offerings, not only enhancing internal capabilities but also supporting other operators across the industry.
Responding to regulation: cleaning up the market
Pisano was direct in his support of the Philippine government’s decision to dismantle the POGO sector due to its association with criminal activity.
“The POGO ban had to come… They were giving gaming a bad name… We shouldn’t have them in our industry.”
He noted the sector had become infiltrated by scams and illicit operations. He welcomed the direction taken by PAGCOR, the country¡¯s gaming regulator, in tightening oversight across platforms, affiliates, and content providers.
“It’s a good direction that PAGCOR is taking because this will also help stamp out the enablers of illegal gaming in our market.”
He estimated that around 150 significant illegal gaming sites are still active in the Philippine market, and viewed these enforcement actions as an essential first step.
Land-based meets online: the hybrid opportunity.
Pisano pointed to the rise of hybrid models, with most integrated resorts in the Philippines now offering an online counterpart. This convergence, he said, creates nationwide brand reach and strengthens customer loyalty across regions.
“That bridge between land and online… gives some nationwide coverage, so someone in Mindanao can look at a local integrated resort… when I go to Manila, I can go to the same brand in Manila.”
He also highlighted how international cases, such as Caesars, have shown that online expansion can have a positive knock-on effect on land-based revenue.
“A study at Caesars, after they went online, their land-based revenue jumped 20% because there was little brand awareness.”
Growth through collaboration
Pisano explained how integrated resorts are increasingly working with a wide range of third parties to support business growth. These include content and platform providers, KYC and AML firms, and influencers.
“Now the integrated resorts are working with content providers, KYC providers, AML software providers, platform providers, even influencers…”
The integration of these partnerships supports a redistribution of revenue streams, rather than a zero-sum shift between online and offline channels.
Expanding frameworks across Asia
Beyond the Philippines, Pisano outlined several regulatory movements across the region:
- Sri Lanka: A gaming bill is expected to be presented to Parliament, establishing a commission to regulate both land-based and online gaming, as well as domestic and offshore markets.
- Thailand: A press conference was expected, with Pisano suggesting the country may begin with land-based regulation before moving online.
- Malaysia: Ongoing discussions led by the Ministry of Communications regarding online gaming regulation.
- Vietnam: The Ministry of Planning is reviewing the upgrade of its restrictive sports betting framework.
- India: Likely to adopt a state-level regulatory model, similar to the United States or Australia, with significant traction in skill-based games and eSports.
“Companies like Dream11… probably one of the biggest gaming companies in the world, and a lot of people don’t know them.”
Challenges in Muslim-majority markets
Pisano expressed scepticism about near-term regulatory progress in countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, where the market remains unregulated, mainly or in a grey zone. He stressed that banking support is as critical as licensing.
“Online gaming without regulated banking is pretty much useless.”
He cited the Isle of Man and Malta as examples of jurisdictions that offer both regulatory clarity and strong banking infrastructure. The Philippines is following suit, with over 28 local payment methods already regulated by PAGCOR.
PAGCOR’s proactive stance
Reflecting on his 37 years of experience in the Philippines, Pisano praised PAGCOR¡¯s current leadership for its proactive approach, particularly in pursuing the structural separation between its roles as operator and regulator.
“This has been the most proactive PAGCOR since its inception over 40 years ago.”
He discussed potential pathways for privatisation, including licensing out or listing existing operations, similar to how Petron was privatised in the past.
“They can sell off the licenses to those properties or they could list as a public company… that maintains the operation, maintains a lot of their staff, it maintains the retirement fund of the employees.”
