Pagcor has noticed an increasing number of unlicensed sites using the Pagcor logo without permission to deceive players. Only operators with Pagcor licenses are allowed to display the logo on their websites. To ensure transparency, Pagcor Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco advises players to exercise caution when gambling online and to consult the regulator’s list of approved websites. Pagcor has partnered with the Philippine National Police, the Department of Information and Communication Technology, and the National Bureau of Investigation to monitor and take action against these illegal websites. Tengco states that most of these illicit websites have been shut down, but some still manage to create new ones. Public cooperation and vigilance are crucial in eliminating these scammers. Moreover, Pagcor is collaborating with law enforcement agencies and payment providers to explore the possibility of payment blocking on these websites. The regulator also plans to establish a landing site that redirects bettors to a platform warning them about accessing illegal sites.
Pagcor has consistently made efforts to combat illegal gambling. In June, the regulator exposed an illegal US-based website called Starspangled200.org, which fraudsters were using as a link to an illegal gambling site in the Philippines. Pagcor has worked with other government and law enforcement agencies to establish offices in an accredited hub. Additionally, operators now face stricter compliance inspections and must submit reports to enforcement agencies for further investigation. Operators failing to comply with regulations will be subjected to significant penalties.
In August, Pagcor unveiled a new regulatory framework for offshore gaming licensees to address illegal offshore activities. As part of this inter-agency initiative, licensees and service providers are currently on probation and must reapply for approval from Pagcor before the 17th of September. Those who have been operating illegally will not be considered for a new license. The regulator also announced legal action against 33 offshore gambling licensees for unpaid licence fees amounting to PHP2.02bn. These operators, licensed under the previous administration, have allegedly neglected to pay their fees for over a year.
Last week, news surfaced involving Tengco and other current and former Pagcor personnel in a case related to a missing performance bond in July 2022. Local media reports suggest Tengco’s connection to the alleged disappearance of a PHP75m performance bond posted by an e-sabong company. The chairman and CFO of Kamura Highlands Gaming and Holdings, Joaquin Sy, filed charges against Tengco and others, accusing them of malversation of public funds, qualified theft, and falsification of private and commercial documents. Tengco has assured the public that he will investigate the claims surrounding the missing performance bond.
