Pagcor to prohibit government officials

Pagcor strengthens measures to bans politicians from betting at casinos.

Philippines.- The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) revealed to the public that further penalties will be applied for cases where government officials are allowed to make use of casino services. In order to strengthen the current measures that ban government employees from gaming salons, Pagcor has signed an agreement with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Pagcor has “joined forces with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to impose stricter penalties against government officials and employees who play in the casinos in the country,” stated the national gaming authority in an official statement last week.

Pagcor also prohibits people under 21-years-old from gambling, as well as governmental officials’ immediate relatives and license-holders directly or indirectly involved in gambling. Financiers are also banned from entering gaming facilities operated and regulated by Pagcor. The measure was issued on December 6 2017, with the new regulations coming into force on January 1 of this year.

Pagcor Andrea Domingo said that she was “hopeful that the partnership with PNP will lead to a better implementation of the Responsible Gaming Code of Practice in the country”. The agreement between Pagcor and the PNP was signed last Wednesday in an official ceremony. Meanwhile, PNP Ronald Dela Rosa said the signs would “serve as a stern warning to government employees to abide by the law, including keeping from entering, staying or playing in casinos”.