The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has taken action to strengthen regulations against illegal offshore gaming activities.
In a statement, the agency said it has joined the newly created Clark Security Advisory Council as part of the inter-agency effort to curb all illegal offshore gaming activities within the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.
Jessa Fernandez, Pagcor assistant vice president for offshore gaming licensing, said it will slap stricter sanctions to all erring licensed offshore gaming operators and accredited service providers.
As part of these sanctions, Fernandez said those who will be found allowing other entities to use the licenses or accreditation given to them will be subjected to a hefty penalty, including the cancellation of their licenses or accreditation.
Meanwhile, Agnes Devanadera, Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president and chief executive officer, said the CDC Board approved the recommendation of the CDC management to halt processing of new lease or sub-lease applications by offshore gaming operators.
“The CDC will no longer process or approve the operation of any incoming overseas gaming, even if they already have license from Pagcor,” she said.
Pagcor said it currently has four remaining accredited service providers and one licensed offshore gaming operator inside the Clark Freeport Zone.
Prior to the launch of the creation of the Clark Security Council, Pagcor has cancelled the provisional accreditation of Sun Valley Clark as an offshore gaming hub within the Clark Freeport Zone for its failure to ensure a lawful and orderly conduct of offshore gaming by its occupants in its registered sites.
Pagcor likewise cancelled the accreditation of CGC Technologies, an offshore gaming service provider based in Pampanga, after the company was embroiled in various allegations, including credit card fraud, serious illegal detention and human trafficking activities.
Prior to the cancellation of its accreditation, CGC was issued a suspension order after being subjected to an inter-agency search operation on May 4. .
During the inter-agency special operation, CGC was found to be operating six buildings inside the Sun Valley Business Hub in Mabalacat, Pampanga, but only two were accredited by Pagcor.
Personnel working in the hub are of mixed nationalities including Indonesians, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Bhutanese and Chinese.
A POGO hub is a complex which houses the operations, logistical, administrative and support services of Pagcor-licensed offshore gaming operators and service providers.
Among the facilities found in a POGO hub are office and residential spaces, food establishments, grocery stores or supermarkets, health and wellness facilities, recreational facilities, among others.
