PAGCOR strikes on illegal gambling

PAGCOR has intensified its focus on illegal gambling and has raided 170 unlicensed venues in the first semester of 2018.

Philippines.- Illegal gambling has turned into a major concern for the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and figures show the intensification of their recent work. According to the Phillipine regulator, 170 establishments were raided during the first semester in an effort to wipe out the unlicensed operations across the country.

“The campaign was stepped up in June 2018, after a coordination meeting between PAGCOR, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Immigration, and the Office of the President,” PAGCOR Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) Vice-President Jose S. Tria, Jr. told BusinessWorld.

According to PAGCOR officials, the country’s agencies signed an agreement to “exchange intelligence information to ultimately carry out intelligence operations, surveillances, raids, arrests, or any other action deemed appropriate, and thereby put a stop to the proliferation of illegal online gambling activities.”

Furthermore, back in 2017, President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued Executive Order No. 13 to “intensify the fight against illegal gambling,” both online and land-based.

“Word of advice, therefore, legalise your operations or face dire consequences,” PAGCOR Chairwoman Andrea D. Domingo warned.