PAGCOR Allocates Additional Funds to Stamp Out Illegal Gambling

The Philippines’ gambling regulator has vowed to crack down on illegal gambling and is now allocating more funds to bolster these efforts Image Source: Shutterstock.com

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation(PACOR) is determined to stamp out illegal gambling, and to do so, it is allocating PHP 50 million to the National Bureau of Investigation(NBI), which has already collaborated with the watchdog in targeting illegal gambling operations first-hand.

PAGCOR Bolsters Efforts to Stem Tide of Illegal Gambling

The first half of the funding, or PHP 25 million, has already been paid to the NBI, as per a Memorandum of Understanding, signed by PAGCOR CEO Alejandro H. Tengcoand NBI director Jaime Santiago.

Commenting on this, Tengco explained that the MoU would allow the two organizations to collaborateand strengthen their measures against the illegal gambling market. The MoU is also a symbolic “show of force” in the sense that there have been debates about whether online gambling should even be allowed in the country in the first place.

President Bongbong Marcoshas been reluctant to insist on the industry’s suspension, as it has been contributing handsomely to the state’s coffers, despite pushback from religious and political rivals.

Banning Gambling Is Being Discussed, But Few Are Confident in the Measure’s Success

At the same time, however, most Filipinoshave been all in favor of a regulated and licensed online gambling market, citing it as a more reliable option than the offshore gambling market.

Santiago commented on the new MoU as well, highlighting the intrinsic benefits to strengthening the two watchdogs’ cooperation in this way:

“The NBI welcomes PAGCOR’s assistance as it will enable us to step up our operations against illegal POGOs and other unlawful gaming activities. This partnership affirms our shared duty to uphold the law and protect the Filipino people.”