Philippines gaming regulator PAGCOR has rejected calls to abolish the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry, promising to nurture its growth instead.
The agency issued an official statement on Tuesday evening in response to claims made during a Senate hearing on Monday that it had failed to take adequate action against delinquent POGOs. The hearing also saw PAGCOR accused of hiring an unlicensed company to audit the revenues and tax payments of POGO, with opponents of the industry again questioning its real value to the Philippines given reports last year of multiple POGO-related kidnappings.
In response, PAGCOR said Tuesday that there have been no reported criminal activities or kidnapping-related incidents of POGO workers in over three months. Specifically, the gaming regulator pointed to an inter-agency cooperation meeting held in September where it joined the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Interior and Local Government in working to combat illegal gaming operations, including offshore gaming.
“The offshore gaming industry has only been in existence in the Philippines under PAGCOR over the last five years,” it explained.
“Aside from the taxes to the national and local governments, it currently employs an estimated 25,000 Filipinos and contributes billions of pesos to the local economy thru real estate activities, consumption and indirect employment.
“It is PAGCOR’s aim to nurture this industry as it believes it has much more to contribute to the Philippine economy and nation building.”
In response to allegations surrounding the company hired to audit POGOs, Global ComRCI, PAGCOR noted that the service provider went through a proper bidding process and met all legal requirements under the Procurement law.
However, “With the assumption of the new leadership of PAGCOR [in August], the contract of Global ComRCI was put under review last September 2022. We assure the Senators that the review will soon be finished and released at the proper time.
“We have been in contact with Global ComRCI and are currently assessing the contract’s terms and conditions and the company’s performance.”
PAGCOR also vowed to come down hard on POGOs found to be flouting the law but said an investigation into one company allegedly involved in a kidnapping case last year was ongoing.
“PAGCOR wishes to reiterate that it does not take these reports lightly and it will ensure that all gaming licensees abide by the law,” it said.
“PAGCOR reassures the public that it is conscientiously looking into the matter and will take the necessary actions, including the cancellation of licenses and service provider accreditations, if found warranted.”
