• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Friday 9 May 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

PAGCOR set to crack down on POGO industry, warns of potential shutdown as kidnapping cases rise

Ben Blaschke by Ben Blaschke
Fri 16 Sep 2022 at 05:01
PAGCOR set to crack down on POGO industry, warns of potential shutdown as kidnapping cases rise

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco

64
SHARES
1.6k
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Philippines gaming regulator PAGCOR says it will work with key government agencies to intensify its efforts against “illegal POGO-related crimes” following reports of an increase in kidnappings linked to online gaming operators.

Having met with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said the inter-agency collaboration is a response to the instruction of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr, who has expressed concern over the rise in crime numbers.

“The President said [this is] because the image of the country and of this administration is being tarnished by these illegal incidents,” Tengco explained.

His comments follow reports this week that the PNP had rescued 43 Chinese nationals said to be enslaved under human trafficking conditions from a licensed POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) called Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc in Angeles City.

Lucky South 99 is one of only two licensed POGOs in Angeles City, with authorities later arresting the company’s 33-year-old human resources manager, Chen Yi Bien – a resident of the Clark Freeport Zone.

Another two workers were recused last month from a POGO in Mabalacat.

Prior to this week there had already been a total of 15 POGO-related kidnapping cases in 2022, up from 12 through all of last year, suggesting the resumption of normal business activities post-COVID has led to an increase in such crimes.

“The information we received is that these alarming incidents of kidnapping came from the ranks of illegal operators,” Tengco said.

“While it will be a challenge to all participating agencies, the good thing is that we are receiving information as to where these illegal operations are located. With the help of everybody, we will be able to zero-in immediately.”

However, he also warned that failure to get on top of the issue could see the POGO industry shut down completely.

“If these kidnapping incidents and other illegal activities persist, it is clear that not only will we cancel the licenses of POGO operators, but the entire industry may be affected by whatever decision will emanate from the national government. So let us help each other solve these issues the soonest,” Tengco said.

RelatedPosts

Winds of change

Philippines licensed casinos no longer main GGR driver as gaming revenues fall to US$890 million in 1Q25

Wed 7 May 2025 at 16:12
Emerald Bay developer PH Resorts Group warns of going concern risk as 1Q22 losses widen

Main lender reveals plans to sell Emerald Bay site in Cebu after PH Resorts Group misses buyback deadline

Mon 5 May 2025 at 14:27
What to expect at the 2025 IAG EXPO

What to expect at the 2025 IAG EXPO

Mon 5 May 2025 at 10:52
Third time lucky? PH Resorts Group inks MOU with Philippine construction firm to finance, develop stalled Cebu resort

PH Resorts Corp says discussions with local construction firm ongoing over investment into stalled Cebu resort Emerald Bay

Sun 4 May 2025 at 06:41
Load More
Tags: Alejandro H. Tengcokidnappingsonline gamingPAGCORPhilippine Offshore Gaming OperatorsPhilippinesPOGO
Share26Share4
Ben Blaschke

Ben Blaschke

A former sports journalist in Sydney, Australia, Ben has been Managing Editor of Inside Asian Gaming since early 2016. He played a leading role in developing and launching IAG Breakfast Briefing in April 2017 and oversees as well as being a key contributor to all of IAG’s editorial pursuits.

Current Issue

Editorial – Knife’s edge

Editorial – Knife’s edge

by Andrew W Scott and Ben Blaschke
Tue 29 Apr 2025 at 15:14

Thailand’s Entertainment Complex journey is at a critical point, with the success or failure of the initiative to be determined...

The changing face of Macau

The changing face of Macau

by Ben Blaschke
Tue 29 Apr 2025 at 15:09

Inside Asian Gaming takes a deep dive into the new, post-COVID Macau where a revenue environment that seems to be...

Born again

Born again

by Pierce Chan
Tue 29 Apr 2025 at 14:47

Premiering in September 2010 at City of Dreams, The House of Dancing Water was a visionary creation by artistic maestro...

Richard Howarth – Testing the limits

Richard Howarth – Testing the limits

by Ben Blaschke
Tue 29 Apr 2025 at 13:17

Richard Howarth, Chief Business Officer APAC for global testing laboratory GLI, discusses his career journey and his passion for fast-paced...

Evolution Asia
Aristocrat
GLI
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
Nustar
Jumbo

Related Posts

Melco prices US$750 million Senior Notes offering

Melco smashes revenue and profit estimates in 1Q25, gains market share on powerful performance of Macau resorts

by Ben Blaschke
Fri 9 May 2025 at 05:36

An impressively strong performance in Macau was enough to see Melco Resorts & Entertainment comfortably beat consensus in 1Q23, with the company reporting a 10.8% year-on-year increase in total operating revenues to US$1.23 billion including a 12.2% rise in gaming...

Galaxy Macau to host 2025 Annual Conference of the FIA – world motorsport’s governing body

Favorable VIP hold pushes Galaxy Entertainment Group’s 1Q25 profit to US$412 million

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 8 May 2025 at 14:03

Macau’s Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) reported total net revenue of HK$11.2 billion in the first three months of 2025, including gross gaming revenue of HK$10.9 billion (US$1.36 billion) – up 13.6% year-on-year although slightly lower than the HK$11.0 billion (US$1.38...

Solutions Showcase: Angel – Tech Minded

Baccarat side bets now contribute close to 50% of Macau baccarat revenues

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 8 May 2025 at 13:32

Baccarat side bets now contribute between 45% and 50% of Macau’s gaming revenues, representing a generational shift in player preferences thanks to the deployment of smart gaming table technology. Stakeholders told IAG that such side bets previously comprised only a...

House of Dancing Water returns to City of Dreams Macau with spectacular premiere

House of Dancing Water returns to City of Dreams Macau with spectacular premiere

by Pierce Chan
Thu 8 May 2025 at 11:11

After a five-year hiatus, City of Dreams’ epic production House of Dancing Water held its premiere on Wednesday 7 May ahead of an official opening to the public on Friday. The newly reimagined resident show is produced by Giuliano Peparini,...



IAG

© 2005-2024
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • 中文

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • 中文
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2024
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • 中文
  • English