PAGCOR warns against schemes offering jobs involving offshore gaming

State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) over the weekend warned the public to be vigilant against schemes offering offshore gaming-related employment opportunities using dating and messaging applications.

In an advisory, PAGCOR said the job postings — looking for possible customer service representatives with experience in cryptocurrency trading — lure in victims with supposedly high-paying jobs only to find themselves used in scams.

The scams are said to entice locals and foreign nationals with employment opportunities through social media groups, and dating and messaging applications.

“Online dating services and cryptocurrency investments are not part of the authorized acts of its Offshore Gaming Licensees and Services Providers,” PAGCOR said.

“PAGCOR advocates for responsible gaming only through legitimate online gaming operations,” it added, noting that authorized gaming entities and platforms are listed on its official website.

Under its charter, PAGCOR is mandated to regulate the gaming industry, generate revenues for the Philippine government's socio-civic and national development programs, and help promote the tourism industry.

The agency in March announced plans to privatize its self-operated casinos, and transition to a purely regulatory role.

It booked P58.96 billion in revenues in 2022, reflecting a 66.16% increase from P35.48 billion posted in 2021, driven mainly by its gaming operations which contributed P55.05 billion. — DVM, GMA Integrated News