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Advocates Philippines
PAGCOR Pursues Legal Action Against Offshore Gaming Operators For Unpaid Fees Totaling P2.02 Billion
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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has embarked on a legal battle against 33 offshore gaming licensees, even those who have fled the country, due to unpaid fees worth a staggering P2.02 billion. According to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco, these operators, who were granted licenses during the previous administration, have violated Section 4.C of the Offshore Gaming Regulatory Manual by not remitting their license fees for over a year.
Despite the current management's appeals, these offshore gaming operators have failed to fulfill their regulatory obligations to PAGCOR. This has left PAGCOR with no choice but to initiate legal action. Tengco emphasized that they are diligently collecting essential information to file appropriate cases against the erring operators.
Out of the 33 operators facing allegations, two have been billed as of May 2023, and another two were referred to PAGCOR's Legal Group since February 2023. Additionally, five operators have already ceased operations, yet Tengco stressed that their disregard for Philippine laws and unpaid dues will not go unpunished.
Tengco reaffirmed PAGCOR's commitment to enforcing regulatory policies across all gaming entities, including offshore operators and service providers. He highlighted the necessity of proper fee and tax payments to the government.
During a recent congressional hearing, Tengco disclosed that some offshore gaming operators granted licenses during the previous administration had folded during the pandemic, leaving behind substantial unpaid dues in the billions.
Meanwhile In a law enforcement operation, authorities cracked open several vaults seized from a raided POGO hub in Pasay City. The total value of the assets recovered from the vaults has reached a staggering sum exceeding P7 million. Among the discoveries were ammunition, firearm silencers, and even pieces of a stun gun.
Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano of the Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that the uncovered ammunition and firearm silencers suggest the involvement of individuals engaged in other criminal activities related to the raided POGO.
Apart from substantial amounts of cash, officials also seized documents linked to cryptocurrency. Rojun Hosillos, Director IV of the Cybercrime Investigation Office of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), shed light on the elaborate operations conducted by the POGO hub. He mentioned that their activities were concealed and isolated, with the majority of employees unaware of the fraudulent operations taking place.
Foreign nationals were among those arrested in connection with the POGO hub's activities, underscoring the international scope of this complex case.
Despite the current management's appeals, these offshore gaming operators have failed to fulfill their regulatory obligations to PAGCOR. This has left PAGCOR with no choice but to initiate legal action. Tengco emphasized that they are diligently collecting essential information to file appropriate cases against the erring operators.
Out of the 33 operators facing allegations, two have been billed as of May 2023, and another two were referred to PAGCOR's Legal Group since February 2023. Additionally, five operators have already ceased operations, yet Tengco stressed that their disregard for Philippine laws and unpaid dues will not go unpunished.
Tengco reaffirmed PAGCOR's commitment to enforcing regulatory policies across all gaming entities, including offshore operators and service providers. He highlighted the necessity of proper fee and tax payments to the government.
During a recent congressional hearing, Tengco disclosed that some offshore gaming operators granted licenses during the previous administration had folded during the pandemic, leaving behind substantial unpaid dues in the billions.
Meanwhile In a law enforcement operation, authorities cracked open several vaults seized from a raided POGO hub in Pasay City. The total value of the assets recovered from the vaults has reached a staggering sum exceeding P7 million. Among the discoveries were ammunition, firearm silencers, and even pieces of a stun gun.
Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano of the Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that the uncovered ammunition and firearm silencers suggest the involvement of individuals engaged in other criminal activities related to the raided POGO.
Apart from substantial amounts of cash, officials also seized documents linked to cryptocurrency. Rojun Hosillos, Director IV of the Cybercrime Investigation Office of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), shed light on the elaborate operations conducted by the POGO hub. He mentioned that their activities were concealed and isolated, with the majority of employees unaware of the fraudulent operations taking place.
Foreign nationals were among those arrested in connection with the POGO hub's activities, underscoring the international scope of this complex case.
Aug 18, 2023
