PAGCOR voids P310M in casino winnings of gov't officials in 2025

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has voided around P310 million in winnings of public officials from gaming venues in 2025, chairperson Alejandro Tengco said Monday.

In an ambush interview, Tengco said the individuals came from various government departments as well as personnel from local government units.

“Sabi ko nga kanina sa kine-kwento ko, maraming nagrereklamo, maraming nagsasabi na karapatan daw nila ’yun at sila ay nanalo,” Tengco said.

(As I said earlier in what I was recounting, many are complaining and saying it is their right and that they won.)

“Pero ang aming sagot sa pangkaraniwan sa kanila eh, unang-una hindi ka dapat nakapaglaro. Sapagkat maliwanag ang batas, bawal maglaro ang sino mang empleyado ng pamahalaan,” he added.

(But our usual response to them is, first of all, you should not have been able to gamble. The law is clear: any government employee is prohibited from gambling.)

Under Presidential Decree No. 1869, or the PAGCOR Charter, and Memorandum Circular No. 6, series of 2016, government officials are prohibited from taking part in casino gambling.

PAGCOR also reports erring employees to their respective agencies, Tengco said.

“Pinapaalam namin na kinumpiska namin dahil hindi nararapat na nakapasok ’yung nasabing empleyado,” he said.

(We inform them that the winnings were confiscated because the said employee should not have been allowed entry.)

Tengco made the remarks on the sidelines of his visit to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the signing of a memorandum of agreement on the sharing of profiles of DOJ employees and its attached agencies, aimed at preventing their presence in gaming venues.

The move comes amid widespread reports that corrupt government personnel have allegedly used casinos as venues to launder bribes or kickbacks linked to government projects.

Tengco said two secretaries of other agencies have also reached out to PAGCOR.

“Gusto rin pag-usapan kung papaano nga makatutulong din sila sa pagbibigay ng mga impormasyong tungkol sa mga kawani o mga empleyado ng pamahalaan,” he said.

(They also want to discuss how they can help provide information about government personnel or employees.)—MCG, GMA Integrated News