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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, or PAGCor, issued a warning to its offshore gaming licencees and accredited services providers that they must adhere to Philippine laws and PAGCor rules and regulations.
Alejandro Tengco is the Chairman and Chief Executive of PAGCor. He has urged all licensees to only operate within their accreditations or licenses. The licensees and service providers were warned that any involvement in criminal activities would be treated severely, including the suspension or cancellation of their accreditation.
PAGCor issued a warning alongside a suspension order to CGC Technologies, an offshore gaming customer service provider that was subjected ot an inter-agency operation on May 4,2023. CGC’s operations, which were conducted after its accreditation on September 2, 2021 was granted, followed a joint operation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group and Special Action Forces with the Intelligence Group and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
PAGCor found that CGC operated six buildings on the site, but only two of them were accredited. The hub’s staff is a mix of nationalities, including Indonesians and Vietnamese. They also include Nepalese Nepalese Bhutanese Chinese. Over 1,000 computers and other devices were confiscated by raiding authorities. These were then subjected to an in-depth forensic analysis. PAGCor stated that if the gaming establishments are found to be engaged in illegal activities the firm will cancel their accreditation immediately.
Tengco stated that the crackdown against CGC was a direct result of the agency’s increased coordination with the Office of the President, Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Immigration to combat illegal activity in offshore gaming operations.
Tengco added, “There’s more to come.” Tengco said, “We will continue to subject our offshore gaming licencees and services providers to stricter surveillance.”
PAGCor has also voiced its full support for the DOJ’s and BI’s decision to order the immediate return of foreign nationals rescued in the incident. PAGCor has shown its firmness in pursuing offshore gaming licensees, as well as service providers who are involved in illegal activities.
Tengco stated that “PAGCor would continue to work with law enforcement agencies in order to provide a safe, responsible gaming environment for Filipinos and other nationalities.” Only through responsible and regulated gaming can we reduce, if not eliminate all crimes linked to gaming.
