PAGCOR to Give $900K to National Bureau of Investigation to Fight Illegal Gambling
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is continuing its fight against illegal gambling in the country.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The gaming regulator has committed PHP50 million (US$861,000) to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to support efforts to stop illegal gambling in the country.
Related: Philippines Prohibits Online Gambling for Public ServantsThe funding was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed on Monday at PAGCOR's corporate headquarters. The deal was executed by PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Alejandro Tengco and NBI Director Jaime Santiago. The regulator immediately released PHP25 million as the first tranche of the grant, with the remainder to follow, according to PAGCOR's announcement.
Tengco stated that the agreement highlights the joint responsibility of both agencies to ensure that gambling in the Philippines operates within lawful and fair parameters. He explained that the financial assistance would be used to cover operational expenses, including food and other costs for individuals detained in connection with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) cases, as well as broader enforcement actions against unauthorized gambling operations.
The PAGCOR boss emphasized that the regulator's cooperation with law enforcement underscores its commitment to protecting the integrity of the gaming sector. He noted that the country's communities and citizens are put at risk when illegal operators are allowed to exploit gaps in enforcement. He further stressed that collaboration with the NBI serves as a strong signal that unlawful gaming practices will be actively addressed and curtailed.
Santiago welcomed the support, saying that PAGCOR's contribution would enhance the NBI's ability to intensify its operations against unlicensed POGOs and other forms of illegal gambling. He described the partnership as a reaffirmation of the duty of both institutions to uphold national laws and safeguard the Filipino public from the social and economic harms associated with unauthorized gaming.
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Calls for Gambling Overhaul Continue
The funding comes at a time of heightened government action against illegal foreign workers in the online gambling sector. On September 19, Philippine authorities deported 91 Chinese nationals linked to unlicensed gaming operations and illegal mining activities. The deportations formed part of a wider crackdown on foreign nationals engaged in illicit business practices in the country.
Calls for stronger oversight of online gambling have also been gaining momentum in the Philippine Senate. Earlier in September, Sen. Erwin Tulfo urged for updates on the online gambling issue, following discussions in a Senate committee on potential new regulations for the industry. Lawmakers are currently weighing several measures, including three proposals for a total ban on POGOs and two bills suggesting tighter regulatory frameworks instead.
The debate over enforcement has also extended to the scope of PAGCOR's authority. A recent opinion paper by Marie Antonette Quiogue, a gaming law specialist and head of Arden Consult in Metro Manila, noted that PAGCOR has only limited powers to directly enforce laws against illegal operators.
However, the paper emphasized that PAGCOR can provide valuable intelligence on illicit gambling activities, which, if fully utilized by law enforcement agencies, could significantly strengthen investigations and prosecution efforts.
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