Philippines gaming services provider PhilWeb is set to have its license returned just 12 months after becoming the face of President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on gambling.”
PhilWeb was forced to shut down last August after President Duterte refused to renew its license to provide gambling services to Pagcor approved electronic gaming cafés, labelling its founder and majority shareholder Roberto Ongpin an “oligarch” he needed to “destroy” in the process. Ongpin subsequently sold his 53.75% stake in the company to businessman Gregorio Araneta III.
According to PhilStar, Pagcor voted to reinstate PhilWeb’s license at a recent board meeting and has issued a Provisional Certificate of Accreditation as an Electronic Gaming System service provider. PhilWeb will be free to offer its services again following an upcoming inspection of its servers and gaming facilities.
The reversal follows the implementation of a new licensing system for gaming service providers aimed at giving operators greater choice.
“This allows for a level playing field for any qualified provider,” said Pagcor chair Andrea Domingo.
PhilWeb paid Ph2.1 billion in fees and taxes to Pagcor in 2015 according to PhilStar, which was the company’s last full year of operation.
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