A lawmaker callied on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) and other government agencies to join forces against online gambling.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta warned that if these groups do not work together, the problem on online gambling would become more entrenched and destructive.
He said the fight against online gambling is not only a matter of regulation, but of moral and social responsibility.
Marcoleta, during the Aug. 14 Senate hearing, noted the contrast between the inaction of PAGCOR and the proactive measures taken by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
He said the BSP had directed all institutions under its supervision to remove icons and links on their digital platforms that lead to online gambling sites.
“PAGCOR has regulatory powers here… We’re barking up the wrong tree,” Marcoleta said, stressing that PAGCOR has held the mandate from the start to rein in online gambling operators.
The senator also questioned why four major gaming operators control more than 80 percent of the market and demanded transparency on the beneficial owners behind these companies.
He also asked PAGCOR on whether it remits the correct amounts on time to government institutions entitled to a share of its earnings, including the Philippine Sports Commission, Dangerous Drugs Board, Board of Claims and the National Treasury.
Under the law, PAGCOR is required to remit 5 percent of winnings to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, 50 percent of its net income to the National Treasury and monthly allocations to specific agencies.
“If this is stated in the law and it is clear how much should be given, it should also be clear whether it is given at the right time and in the right amount,” Marcoleta said.
