Taking a Bite Out of PAGCOR

Sun, Mar 1, 2015

A bill recently submitted to the Philippine House of Representatives by Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao (l.) would reduce the authority of PAGCOR, the country’s gaming regulator. Among other adjustments, the bill would prohibit the body from issuing casino licenses.

Philippine legislator Giorgidi Aggabao has sent a bill to the House of Representatives that would limit the power of the country’s gaming regulator.

The bill would amend the authority now exercised by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., known as PAGCOR, and strip its power to grant casino licenses. Aggabao says the current law “delegated more powers to PAGCOR compared to its original mandate, that of operating and maintaining casinos.” He added that PAGCOR’s licensing methods are “not transparent,” reported GGRAsia.

“Clearly, with the given additional mandate, PAGCOR has encroached with Congressional mandate as provided by the 1987 constitution,” the lawmaker wrote. “The bill therefore seeks to rectify the situation and proposes to revoke the authority of PAGCOR to license casino and gaming club operators.” A similar bill was approved by the lower chamber in 2012, but rejected by the Senate.

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