POGOs, service providers have until Sept. 17 to reapply for licenses - PAGCOR

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has introduced a new regulatory framework for offshore gaming operations in the country as part of intensified efforts to address all illegal activities linked to the sector.

In a statement, PAGCOR said that under the new framework, all POGO licensees and service providers "were declared under probationary status and were directed to reapply until September 17, 2023."

This was announced by PAGCOR Assistant Vice President for Offshore Gaming Licensing Jessa Fernandez during a Senate hearing on Wednesday, August 2, according to the gaming regulator.

"In the present framework, all service providers who are accepting bets are required to apply for a license. We will also evaluate the beneficial owners of these companies so that they will be held liable in case they are found to be involved in any illegal activity," said Fernandez.

"Entities with findings of activities outside their granted license or accreditation will not be granted a license under the new framework. Likewise, licensees or service providers who shall not reapply or were granted license within the given period shall be endorsed for cancellation," she added.

Fernandez also said PAGCOR has been working closely with other government and law enforcement agencies to set up offices inside an accredited hub.

PAGCOR said it has instituted reforms that will impose stricter sanctions on all erring licensed offshore gaming operators and accredited service providers.

The agency said the other reforms that are now in effect are "intensified inspection and verification of compliance of offshore gaming licensees and service providers; submission of reports to enforcement agencies for investigation and verification of findings; enhanced coordination with relevant government agencies; and stricter implementation of regulations and imposition of heavy penalties to licensees and service providers who violated existing regulations." 

POGO hub not involved in illegal activities

During the Senate inquiry, Fernandez clarified that the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub located at the former Island Cove Resort in Cavite has no involvement in illegal activities.

The PAGCOR official responded to Senator Risa Hontiveros' queries on whether the Island Cove POGO hub is being utilized for fraudulent purposes.

Fernandez said that PAGCOR has not received any reports from its monitoring team indicating it is a scam hub.

"Based on our monitoring team, there’s no report that there are indications that it is a scam hub," she told the Senate committee.

She also committed to submitting the 10 most recent inspection reports of the Island Cove hub to the Senate. — VBL, GMA Integrated News