After many troubled months, Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) had an important decision to make along the way.The Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) was shut down by PAGCOR earlier this month, causing the licenses of offshore gaming operators involved in illegal activities to be revoked in the Philippines.
under serious criticism
PAGCOR decided to close POGO after several serious allegations were made.The operator has been accused of activities related to credit card fraud, illegal detention and human trafficking.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) decided to delegate this task to the Anti-Cybercrime Group, Special Operations Forces, and Intelligence Group of the President's Office Anti-Organized Crime Commission, and worked with the Interagency Council on Anti-Trafficking.
The first suspension has already taken place. On Thursday, May 5, the agency suspended CGC Technologies, a well-known gaming service provider in the gaming customer-facing field.The certified offshore company has been under suspicion since early May, and an interagency raid has uncovered several reasons for its suspension.
The main reason for the suspension is the six buildings operated by CGC Technologies.Of the six buildings installed at the company's Pampanga site in Clark, only two had the correct license issued by PAGCOR, without which they are prohibited from operating in the country. CGC has a chance to get the license back, but only after a detailed forensic investigation.
During the investigation, authorities seized more than 1000 pieces of various equipment, including computers, from the building in question and decided to conduct a detailed investigation.
Politicians Against PAGCOR and POGO
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco endorsed the authorities' decision to deport foreigners.Many of them are from Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal, Bhutan and China, and will return to their respective countries.
Tengco said: “We will continue to subject our offshore gaming licensees and service providers to greater scrutiny. PAGCOR is safe not only for Filipinos, but also for people of other nationalities. We will continue to work hand in hand with law enforcement to ensure a responsible gaming environment in. Only through regulated and responsible gaming can we fully eradicate all crimes related to gaming conduct. If we can't, we can minimize it."
Many politicians also support the decision
Senator Sherwin Ctchalian, one of POGO's biggest opponents, said in March of the decision that "the country did not get much economic benefit from POGO."On the contrary, crime and corruption have increased, and the country's reputation has tarnished among various parties, including tourists and potential foreign investors, he said.
At the time, authorities responded that POGO would remain in the Philippines, but only if the reputation and integrity of the Philippine industry were maintained at the highest levels.
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