Philippines-based online gambling operators are hoping the country’s president heeds calls to restart their operations if they adopt certain pandemic health protocols.

On Tuesday, local media reported that Andrea Domingo, chair of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), had written to President Rodrigo Duterte recommending that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) be allowed to resume operations “provided that all health protocols such as social distancing, wearing of masks, frequent and proper hand washing are observed.”

POGO operations were suspended in March as the country’s main island of Luzon was put under quarantine to limit further spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Most POGO service providers and live casino studios are based in Luzon’s largest city Manila.

PAGCOR recently announced that the shutdown of POGOs and land-based casinos – including PAGCOR’s own Filipino Casino operations – was depriving the regulator of $118m per month in lost revenue. PAGCOR is among the largest contributors to the government’s coffers, and Domingo previously asked if certain “high-earning” gambling segments might be allowed to resume operations so that the government doesn’t go broke.