Degree in Gambling Seems a Sure Bet
Mon Apr 22, 6:45 AM ET
MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines could soon be the first country to offer a degree course in blackjack and roulette if plans for a gambling academy are approved.
"It is a baccalaureate degree, Bachelor of Science in Gaming Management, something like that, so we can professionalize it," Efraim Genuino, head of state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR), told a local radio station.
The gaming group had the expertise to produce gambling graduates as it has trained gambling staff in-house since the 1980s, company officials said.
Pending approval from the authorities, the academy will offer courses in gaming skills for table supervisors in popular games such as blackjack, poker and roulette, they said.
Genuino said he was sure the course would be popular and he hoped graduates would work overseas and help the Philippine economy.
"We know many will apply because jobs are guaranteed," Genuino said. "What's important here is for us to be able to export people who can help our country."
About 7.5 million Filipinos work abroad and the money they send home is major source of income for many families.
Neighboring countries such as Laos and Myanmar had already expressed an interest in the gambling course, another company official said.
The Philippines has produced at least one well-known, reputed gambler -- ousted president Joseph Estrada (news - web sites) -- who has been seen on video playing high stakes games in a casino.
The former movie star, who is celebrating his 65th birthday on Friday, is in custody in a military hospital and facing plunder charges for amassing wealth during his term, partly through alleged bribes from illegal gambling syndicates.
Mon Apr 22, 6:45 AM ET
MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines could soon be the first country to offer a degree course in blackjack and roulette if plans for a gambling academy are approved.
"It is a baccalaureate degree, Bachelor of Science in Gaming Management, something like that, so we can professionalize it," Efraim Genuino, head of state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR), told a local radio station.
The gaming group had the expertise to produce gambling graduates as it has trained gambling staff in-house since the 1980s, company officials said.
Pending approval from the authorities, the academy will offer courses in gaming skills for table supervisors in popular games such as blackjack, poker and roulette, they said.
Genuino said he was sure the course would be popular and he hoped graduates would work overseas and help the Philippine economy.
"We know many will apply because jobs are guaranteed," Genuino said. "What's important here is for us to be able to export people who can help our country."
About 7.5 million Filipinos work abroad and the money they send home is major source of income for many families.
Neighboring countries such as Laos and Myanmar had already expressed an interest in the gambling course, another company official said.
The Philippines has produced at least one well-known, reputed gambler -- ousted president Joseph Estrada (news - web sites) -- who has been seen on video playing high stakes games in a casino.
The former movie star, who is celebrating his 65th birthday on Friday, is in custody in a military hospital and facing plunder charges for amassing wealth during his term, partly through alleged bribes from illegal gambling syndicates.
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