MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has clarified that activities linked to illegal online gaming activities should not be associated with legitimate Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (Pogos).
Pagcor made the statement following the series of arrests involving Chinese and other foreign nationals, who were found to have been working for unlicensed, offshore gaming companies.
“The agency emphasises that any individual, group or entity which conducts online gambling without approval to operate from Pagcor should not be categorised as Pogo,” it said on Wednesday (Sept 28).
Pagcor chairman and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco assured the public that the agency is strictly monitoring Pogos in the country, further asserting that “any gaming entity that fails to pass the application process for an offshore gaming licence and to fulfill the documentary and financial requirements, among others, cannot be labelled as legal offshore gaming operators of Pogo.”
Tengco added that Pagcor is closely working with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Justice, the Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation to weed out illegal gaming operations in the country, and put an end to the recent incidents of kidnapping and human trafficking.
