 Proxy betting is now regulated in the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), a first in Internet gaming regulation. "This is one of the provisions in the recently-issued regulatory guidelines in a facility referred to as Internet phone betting with video streaming in a land-based casino setting," Justin Hernandez, marketing director of First Cagayan Leisure and Resort Corporation (FCLRC), said. "Proxy players who represent foreign clients or players are also allowed to place bets in the facility," Hernandez said. According to the regulation issued by CEZA, only foreign clients or players who are brought in or introduced by agents of a licensed operator are allowed to play in this facility in the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSESFP). Licensed operators are those whose licenses have been issued by FCLRC, CEZA's master licensor for Internet gaming. According to Hernandez, the foreign clients or players can give betting and playing instructions to their proxy players in the facility through Voice Over IP (VOIP) phones and the games through the Internet. "Live video streaming makes the facility novel, in that betting is real time," Hernandez explained. "A live CNN display on a monitor gives all players the indication that the video is live, on real time," he added. First Cagayan Leisure and Resort Corporation (FCLRC) recently presented a 10-year development plan of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSESFP) in northern Philippines. "It is a 10-year development plan that is aimed at creating a self-sustaining, eco-friendly industrial zone and mixed use township development in the Cagayan Freeport," Alfredo Benitez, president of FCLRC, said. According to Benitez, tourism and leisure will be the lead sector to be developed. "Topping the priority list is the construction and operation of a casino-resort complex that will jumpstart the development and leisure sector in the Cagayan Freeport," Benitez said, adding that along with this sector is the development of the IT facilities and telecommunications. "The tourism and leisure development shall have three phases that is expected to complete the infrastructure in five to seven years," Justin Hernandez, marketing director of FCLRC, said. The Internet and telecommunications infrastructure shall have three phases as well, according to Hernandez. Total amount of investment in this 10-year development plan is estimated at P6B, which is expected to double CEZA's present revenue being generated solely from interactive gaming. According to Hernandez, the introduction of world-class infrastructure in the Cagayan Freeport shall generate an influx of additional locators and investment because of this infrastructure availability. Some of the major features the development of a 22-hectare property into a leisure and resort complex; the development of a 100-hectare beach front property into leisure and gaming facility; and widening of the San Vicente Naval Airport and the lengthening of its runway. The key components of the leisure and commercial centers include a casino complex, shall include beach resorts, club house, housing, sports facilities, and theme parks. According to Hernandez, these will be the core take-off thrust expected to support and complement the major agro-industrial development in the Cagayan Freeport. The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) has extended the appointment of First Cagayan Leisure and Resort Corporation (FCLRC) as its Master Licensor for interactive gaming. "It's a 25-year extension as exclusive Master Licensor," Atty. Katrina Nepomuceno, legal counsel for FCLRC, explained. According to Nepomuceno, the extension forms part of FCLRC's requirement to be able to implement a 10-year development plan which FCLRC has presented to CEZA. "The extension of the contract also includes the management and administration of the telecommunication facility that is priority in the 10-year development plan," she added. Total amount of investment in the 10-year development plan is estimated at P6B, which is expected to double CEZA's present revenue being generated solely from interactive gaming, according to Nepomuceno. |