The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has undertaken legal action against almost three dozen licensed offshore gaming operators for past-due fees of PHP2.02 billion (US$35.8 million). Some of the debts have been unpaid for more than a year, and some of the operators are no longer in the country.
In a statement, PAGCOR CEO Alejandro Tengco said, “Because of this situation, we are duty-bound to take a legal course of action. We are now in the process of gathering pertinent information to file appropriate cases against them.”
According to the Manila Standard, five of the 33 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are now out of business in the country. Even so, Tengco said they must pay their bills or face legal consequences.
“PAGCOR will continue to ensure that all our regulated gaming entities—including offshore gaming operators and service providers—will abide by our regulatory policies, including proper payment of fees and taxes,” he said.
PAGCOR has launched a new regulatory framework for POGO licensees as part of an “intensified inter-agency effort” to address criminal activities linked to the industry, including kidnapping, human trafficking, forced labor and money laundering.
