The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has issued a warnings to citizens about the dangers of illegal gambling, after receiving reports about illegal online bingo games being organised in the country.
The regulator warned that these games, which were being promoted through Facebook, were exploiting uncertainty caused by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic to steal players’ money, financial information and commit identity theft.
Furthermore, Pagcor pointed out, playing these illegal products is also a crime.
Bingo Pinoy Corp. Address: 1053 Fields Avenue Balibago Angeles City Map B7 Amusement Corp. Bingo Paradise Congressional. Address: 2nd Flr. Pagcor E-Bingo Bocaue. 541 likes 609 were here. Bingo Pinoy Corp. Address: 1053 Fields Avenue Balibago Angeles City Map B7 Amusement Corp. Bingo Paradise Congressional. Address: 2nd Flr.
“Pacgor is committed to the prosecution of persons involved in such illegal activities, because of the strong link between illegal gambling and organised crime who are also engaged in credit card fraud, identity theft, money laundering, among others,” it explained.
The regulator’s warning comes after the Philippines Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) saw operations significantly disrupted by Covid-19. These operators were ordered to temporarily cease activities from 18 March, but it was announced on 1 May that they would be permitted to resume operations, provided their tax affairs were in order.
This meant that they had to have paid all franchise tax owed to Pagcor, as well as additional taxes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and regulatory fees for April. However, with many operators in arrears, this has led to significant delays in their return to business.
According to local media, a number of POGOs have either confirmed or are planning to pull out of the market as a result of the disruption, with a number of service providers also thought to be shutting down.
While POGOs have long been controversial, to the point that China has demanded the industry be shut down because of targeting of Chinese nationals, they are a significant contributor to the Philippines economy, providing more than 31,556 jobs as well as tax revenue.
The industry is also a major source of funding for the real estate industry, which has earned an estimated PHP25bn from leaseholds and rent payments, according to Pagcor.
For the three months to 31 March 2020, gambling revenue from Pacgor’s sector fell 5.7% year-on-year to PHP17.22bn, with land-based casinos shuttered from 15 March. Facilities in certain parts of the country began to reopen from 8 June, though were limited to 50% capacity, with larger facilities unlikely to follow until July.
PAGCOR's main office along Roxas Boulevard in Ermita, Manila | |
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Casino |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Philippines |
| Andrea D. Domingo (Chairman and CEO)[1] | |
Number of employees | 11,000+ |
| Website | www.pagcor.ph |
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR, Filipino: Korporasyon sa Libangan at Palaro ng Pilipinas[2]) is a government-owned and controlled corporation established through the Presidential Decree 1869.[3] PAGCOR is the Philippines' largest contributor of revenue to the government after the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs.
PAGCOR is under the Office of the President of the Philippines.[4]
History[edit]
After its establishment, PAGCOlippine Casino Operators Corporation (PCOC) for the operation of the floating casino in the Manila Bay in 1977. However, after the floating casino was gutted by fire in 1979, PAGCOR shifted its focus to land-based casinos and entered into another contract with PCOC for the management of a casino at the Provident International and Resources Corporation (PIRC) building on Imelda Avenue, Parañaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Then, under Presidential Decree 1869, decreed in 1983, it was mandated to act as the sole government corporation conducting and establishing gaming pools and casinos in the country.[3] In 1986, it was re-established and reorganized by Philippine President Corazon C. Aquino as a New PAGCOR to help raise funds for the government; Norberto Quisumbing was appointed as its first Chairman, followed by the former Development Bank of the Philippines chair Alicia LL. Reyes as its Chair and CEO. Reyes was succeeded by Ephraim Genuino under the appointment by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2001.
The firm operates its own casinos and several VIP slot clubs in major cities across the country. It also oversees and regulates privately owned casinos, more than 180 bingo parlors, as well as e-games cafes across the country. The company employs more than 11,000 workers. In June 2007, PAGCOR gained from a piece of legislation, Republic Act 9487, which granted the state-run gaming firm, then under the leadership of Chairman Genuino, another 25 years to regulate and operate games of chance, to issue licenses, and to enter into joint venture, management, or investment agreements with private entities for the Entertainment City in the Manila Bay area, Parañaque, and in Newport City, Pasay, in particular.[5] Chairman Genuino successfully attracted investors to the project to put up Las Vegas-style integrated resorts. Two integrated resorts opened on November 1, 2014.
On July 13, 2018, PAGCOR announced the appointment of Attorney Angeline Papica-Entienza as the head of the agency’s Gaming Licensing and Development Department and as the assistant vice president of the corporation.[6]
Pagcor Bingo Philippines
List of chairpersons[edit]
- Norberto B. Quisumbing (1986)
- Alicia L. Reyes (1987 – 2001)
- Efraim C. Genuino (2001 – 2010)
- Cristino L. Naguiat Jr. (2010 – June 2016)
- Andrea D. Domingo (July 2016 – present)[7]
References[edit]
- ^'THE NEW MANAGEMENT'. www.pagcor.ph. Archived from the original on 3 July 2011.
- ^Narvaez, Eilene Antoinette; Macaranas, Edgardo, eds. (2013). Mga Pangalan ng Tanggapan ng Pamahalaan sa Filipino(PDF) (in Filipino) (2013 ed.). Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino. p. 42. ISBN978-971-0197-22-4. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ ab'FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 1 First Regular Session'(PDF). senate.gov.ph. 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
- ^'GOCC Profile - Integrated Corporate Reporting System'. Integrated Corporate Reporting System. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
- ^'Republic Act 9487'. The LawPhil Project. 20 June 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
- ^'PAGCOR Changes Gaming Licensing Unit Lineup - Top Casino Picks'. Top Casino Picks. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- ^'Andrea Dizon Domingo Resume'(PDF). Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
Portal Pagcor Ph
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