State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. vowed to intensify the crackdown against illegal online gaming companies, saying it is keeping a closer watch on offshore gaming operations to make sure the government collects the proper taxes.
Pagcor said it initiated a crackdown against online gaming firms operating without a license or found in violation of the agency’s offshore gaming regulatory manual.
Pagcor chairperson Andrea Domingo said in a statement over the weekend that the agency, in cooperation with various law enforcement agencies, regularly undertook investigations and raids.
She said that since 2017, the law enforcement bodies conducted raids in over 170 establishments certified by Pagcor to be operating without licenses. Personalities apprehended for operating without a gaming license will either face charges in court or deported, the agency said.
Domingo said the agency was relentless in its pursuit of illegal operators, adding that gambling, if not properly regulated, would cause undue damage to society and its citizens.
“Word of advice, therefore, legalize your operations or face dire consequences,” Domingo said.
Pagcor earlier signed a mutual cooperation agreement with the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Immigration for a concerted drive against illegal online gambling. The agreement was executed with a representative of the Office of the President exercising oversight on the same.
Members of the interagency council exchange intelligence information to ultimately carry out intelligence operations, surveillances, raids, arrests, or any other action deemed appropriate, and thereby put a stop to the proliferation of illegal online gambling activities.
Domingo said aside from conducting raids against erring firms, Pagcor was also regularly monitoring and auditing the operation of Philippine offshore gaming operators or Pogo licensees to ensure that they were remitting to the government its proper revenue share and that they were adhering to all municipal, national and labor laws.
Domingo said this was an important function as four out of every 10 workers in online gaming firms in the Philippines are Filipinos. These workers consist of high-paying IT and technical support staff, dealers, administrative staff, drivers, cooks, maintenance personnel and others.
She said regular audits of Pogo gaming hubs showed substantial compliance to Pagcor rules, and compliance with local government requirements on health and sanitation, fire safety, occupational permits and others.
Domingo said that through its compliance monitoring and enforcement department, Pagcor ensures that Pogo licensees operate within the bounds and limits of their offshore gaming licenses.
The current regulatory framework provides administrative penalties and sanctions against Pogo licensees found to be performing prohibited acts, including violations of any conditions attached to the grant of said license.
