The rapid advancement of technology within the gaming industry is driving a proliferation of illegal online operators by creating an unstable environment in which legitimate businesses can struggle, according to PAGCOR Vice President for Human Resource and Development Group, Dr Angelito Domingo.
Dr Domingo was speaking at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Regulators’ Forum held at Newport World Resorts late last week off the back of the IAG EXPO.
Although the number of legal operators has been on the rise since PAGCOR began lowering tax rates, Dr Domingo said technology was providing avenues for criminals to take advantage of a “perfect storm”.
“There are three forces – technology as the tool, the criminal divide as the motive and social impact as the public outcry – that create a perfect storm which threatens the integrity of the legal gaming industry,” he said.
In response, PAGCOR is implementing a gaming education framework focused on player education, operator training and public outreach to counter growing social concerns associated with illegal online gambling.
“This framework envisions stronger collaboration among gaming and financial regulators, licensed operators, law enforcement, non-government organizations, the community and the players themselves,” Dr Domingo continued.
“Also, a lot of people are not aware of the financial implications when they engage in gambling. They only realize the impact of what they did when it’s already too late. They could have done better by being educated at the onset.
“Player education should center on responsible play and awareness of gambling’s financial and psychological risks, which we are currently doing.
“Operator training, on the other hand, should involve mandatory certification to ensure that frontline staff can identify and respond to problem gamblers.”
