A former high-ranking government official attempted to secure gaming licenses for multiple illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) that were recently subjected to raids, according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) on Saturday.
The government agency did not disclose the identity of the former Cabinet member but assured that they would unveil the identity and the circumstances that led to the proliferation of illegal POGOs “in the proper forum.”
PAGCOR CEO and chairman Alejandro Tengco emphasized the importance of investigating the involvement of former officials and their associates in granting licenses to POGO applicants with questionable backgrounds.
Tengco stressed that it is crucial for the government to crackdown on illegal operators, including offshore gaming operators or POGOs, as their illegal activities pose serious threats to the public.
Commending the efforts of the Marcos administration in curbing illegal operators, Tengco noted a significant reduction in the number of licensed entities from 298 under the previous administration to just 43 at present.
The revelation of ineligible and suspicious license holders during the regulatory cleansing process prompted Tengco to be prepared to disclose the roles of other controversial figures behind these criminal POGO operations.
PAGCOR’s primary responsibility is to ensure that only licensed entities can engage in various forms of gambling, including physical casinos and online platforms.
Recent concerns about POGOs resurfaced regarding Mayor Alice Guo’s connections to an illegal POGO hub that was raided in her Tarlac town.
