PAGCOR cracks down on unlicensed online casino operators

The Manila Bulletin reported over the weekend that the Philippinnes regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has conducted raids on over 170 online gaming firms it claims were operating without licenses during a crackdown against illegal operators.

In a statement, Andrea D. Domingo, Pagcor chairperson said the 170 companies have been found in violation of the Offshore Gaming Regulatory Manual (OGRM) and will face charges in court and deportation if they are foreign nationals.

“Word of advice, therefore, legalise your operations or face dire consequences,” Domingo said.

The Pagcor raids were conducted in collaboration with National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Immigration following exchanges of intelligence and information between the different government agencies as part of an overall collaborative strategy..

Domingo said Pagcor is also regularly monitoring and auditing the operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) licensees to ensure that they remit to government proper revenue share and that they adhere to all laws.

She said regular audits of POGO gaming hubs showed “substantial compliance” with Pagcor rules, as well as local government requirements on health and sanitation, fire safety, occupational permits and others.

Domingo said its third-party audit platform will soon be fully functional which will strengthen revenue collection and ensure fairness in the operations of its POGO licensees.

Specifically, the audit platform ensures that only licensed and approved casino based gaming platforms are offered to players, and that betting on prohibited platforms like collegiate games, illegal cockfights, prices of traded stocks are not undertaken by licensees.

“Furthermore, regulation includes protection of the bets of the player, and we do this as a matter of course,” Domingo emphasised.