Archives

MANILA, April 18 (AFP) - Philippine gambling chiefs are planning to set up what is believed to be the world's first casino university to spread the art of dealing cards and spinning a roulette wheel.

Pending approval from educational authorities, the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) will offer bachelor's degrees in casino operations and management from later this year.

"The PAGCOR Academy will be a pioneer in the Philippines and in the world," the gambling monopoly's chairman, Efraim Genuino, said in a statement Thursday.

The academy would also offer short-term courses for croupiers in popular casino games such as blackjack, roulette, craps and poker, as well as non-degree programs for tellers, casino accountants, bingo managers, building administrators and security personnel.

Courses in casino marketing, customer service, bartending-waiting, and hotel management will also be available, the statement said.

"At the moment, we are busy networking with universities and colleges offering courses in hotel and restaurant management to include in their existing curricula a subject on casino management," PAGCOR Academy senior manager Josefina Reyes said.

PAGCOR officials said the company already offers short-term courses in card dealing and related subjects to employees of cruise ships.

Casinos are a major source of revenue for the cash-strapped Philippine government, but the influential Roman Catholic Church is expected to protest the plan to set up an academy. 

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager