-
Casinos for you
PAGCOR Moves Toward State-Run Online Casino Market in the Philippines
By Shane Addinall Aug 20, 2023 LegalityThe Philippines will soon become a state-run online casino jurisdiction, according to PAGCOR. In the interim, they have begun cracking down on POGOs not paying their dues and operating illegally in Asia and other countries.The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has had a tumultuous relationship with so-called POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators). To date, these operators hold Filipino licenses. However, they have created friction between the Philippines and countries like China for their illegal operations.
This will soon come to a head as PAGCOR announces its plans for a state-run online gambling monopoly. This is far from a toothless action as the regulator begins to crack down on licensed online casinos that have been operating illegally in Asian countries and beyond.
PAGCOR Steps into the Ring
In order to reduce tensions between itself and neighbouring countries who are tired of POGOS abusing their Filipino licenses to target offshore players, PAGCOR plans to establish its own online gambling marketplace.
The official launch of its licensed gambling products should take place in 2024. In the meantime, the regulator is tightening the noose on sites crossing established legal lines.
Assistant Vice President for Offshore Gaming Licensing Attorney Jessa Fernandez said:
Quote“Entities with findings of activities outside their granted license or accreditation will not be granted a license under the new framework. Likewise, licensees or service providers who shall not re-apply or were granted license within the given period shall be endorsed for cancellation.”
They will also begin reviewing existing license holders and new applicants, scrutinising their down-the-chain owners to bring them to heel should they be found guilty of illegal activities.
Fernandez added:
Quote“In the present framework, all Service Providers who are accepting bets are required to apply for a license. We will also evaluate the beneficial owners of these companies so that they will be held liable in case they are found to be involved in any illegal activity.”
As PAGCOR draw closer to forming its own regulated gambling market, POGOs can look forward to “intensified inspection and verification of compliance”, which will be backed by increased demand for granular reporting, stricter law enforcement and the imposition of increasingly heavier fines.
33 POGOS Come Under Fire
As the first step in tightening the reins, PAGCOR sent out a press release discussing actions taken by the government body against thirty-three offshore gaming licensees.
Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said:
Quote“PAGCOR will continue to ensure that all our regulated gaming entities – including offshore gaming operators and service providers – will abide by our regulatory policies, including proper payment of fees and taxes.”
Tengco said:
Quote“We are duty-bound to take a legal course of action. We are now in the process of gathering pertinent information to file appropriate cases against them.”
To prove its commitment to meting out justice, five of the brands being penalised are no longer operational in the Philippines. However, they are still being held accountable for unpaid license fees in violation of Section 4C of the Offshore Gaming Regulatory Manual. They will face court hearings to retrieve what they owe to the state.
You might also like