The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has issued a warning about unauthorized use of its logo. Only operators with a valid license from PAGCOR are permitted to display the logo on their websites for their products. The misuse of PAGCOR’s logo as a seal of approval has prompted the regulatory body to issue a warning to players using these websites. The illegal use of the logo is a growing problem, so CEO Alejandro Tengco advises players to exercise caution when gambling online. Tengco has provided a list of approved websites for guidance on certified operators. Law enforcement agencies, including the Philippine National Police, the Department of Information and Communication Technology, and the National Bureau of Investigation, are involved in monitoring and taking actions to prevent illegal operations. Tengco urges the public to help identify and shut down these scammers, as some of them create new websites quickly. Payment service providers are also working to block payments to these websites.
PAGCOR Steps Up Efforts to Stop Illegal Gambling Websites with Law Enforcement Agencies. In a recent announcement, PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) has emphasized the collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Philippine National Police, the Department of Information and Communication Technology, and the National Bureau of Investigation. The purpose of this joint effort is not only to monitor illicit activities on gambling websites, but also to take immediate action to prevent their illegal operations.
According to Tengco, a spokesperson for PAGCOR, while many illicit websites have been shut down, some are able to quickly create new ones, necessitating the cooperation and vigilance of the public to help identify and eliminate scammers.
Furthermore, PAGCOR aims to block payments made to these websites by working with payment service providers. This regulatory warning is part of PAGCOR’s ongoing campaign to put an end to illegal gambling operations on certain websites.
In a separate statement, PAGCOR flagged a US-operated website as a platform for fraudsters to link to a fully functional website in the Philippines. This highlights the significance of the issue and the need for swift action.
PAGCOR is also in the process of establishing regulatory offices within an accredited hub, which will include the participation of various law enforcement agencies mentioned earlier.
Compliance with these regulations is crucial for operators, as PAGCOR has warned of heavy penalties for non-compliance. Increased compliance inspections and the compilation of reports for law enforcement analysis are now part of the regulatory measures. Additionally, PAGCOR has initiated legal action against 33 offshore gambling licensees for unpaid fees totaling over PHP 2.02 billion ($33.2 million).
PAGCOR remains committed to its mission of eradicating illegal gambling and urges the public’s support in achieving this goal.