After a troubling few months and many issues, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) had, along the way, made an important decision. Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) was shut by PAGCOR earlier this month, and now the licenses of offshore gaming operators who were involved in any illegal activities will be canceled in the Philippines.
Serious accusations:
PAGCOR decided to shut POGOs after some serious accusations were made. Operators were accused of credit card fraud, illegal detention, and activities related to human trafficking.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) decided to entrust the task to its Anti-Cybercrime Group, the Special Action Forces, the Intelligence Group of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and joined forces with the Inter-Agency Council on Anti-Trafficking.
The first suspensions already took place. On Thursday, May 16th, the agency suspended CGC Technologies, a well-known gaming service provider in the gaming customer relations field. This accredited offshore company has been under suspicion since early May, and the inter-agency search operation revealed some reasons for the suspension. The main reason behind the suspension is six buildings operated by CGC Technologies. Only two of the six buildings placed on the company’s Pampanga site in Clark had the right licenses that PAGCOR issued, and without these licenses, its work is prohibited in the country. CGC has a chance to regain its license, but only after a detailed forensic investigation.
During the investigation, the authorities decided to confiscate more than 1000 various devices, including computers, from the problematic buildings so they could be subjected to a detailed investigation.
PAGCOR and the politicians against POGOs:
Alejandro Tengco, PAGCOR’s Chairman and CEO, approves the authorities’ decision to repatriate the foreigners. Most of them are from Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal, Bhutan, and China, and they will have to go back to their countries.
Tengco said: “We will continuously subject our offshore gaming licensees and service providers to stricter monitoring. PAGCOR will continue to work hand in hand with law enforcement agencies to ensure a safe and responsible gaming environment not only for Filipinos but also for other nationalities. Only through regulated and responsible gaming can we minimize, if not totally eradicate, all crimes that are being linked to gaming activities.”
Many politicians also support the decision.
Senator Sherwin Ctchalian, one of the biggest opponents of POGOs, spoke about it in March, stating that the country didn’t see many economic benefits from POGOs. On the contrary, it faced increased crime and corruption, which damaged the country’s reputation among various parties, including tourists and potential foreign investors.
Back then, the authorities responded and claimed that POGO would stay in the Philippines, but only if they kept the reputation and integrity of the industry in the country on the highest levels.
The legal status of online casinos in India is complex and varies by state. While there is no federal law that explicitly addresses online gambling, the legality depends on state regulations and the type of gambling involved.
Key Points:
-
No National Law: India does not have a specific national law regulating online casinos. However, the Public Gambling Act of 1867 prohibits operating physical casinos and gambling houses, but it doesn't cover online platforms, leaving a legal grey area for online gambling.
-
State-Specific Laws: Some Indian states, like Goa, Sikkim, and Daman, have legalized land-based casinos, and others, such as Sikkim, have also licensed online gambling. Many states have banned gambling altogether, including online gambling.
-
Online Sports Betting: Betting on sports, particularly cricket, is very popular in India. However, it's only explicitly legal in some states like Sikkim and Nagaland, which have laws permitting online gaming and betting.
-
Legal Gray Area: Many international online casinos accept Indian players and operate legally under licenses from offshore jurisdictions (like Curacao or the UK Gambling Commission). As long as players are gambling on licensed platforms, the risk is minimal, but local authorities may still choose to regulate or restrict online gambling.
-
Cryptocurrency: Some Indian players prefer using cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin) for online gambling, as it provides a layer of anonymity and security.
While online casinos aren't explicitly legal across all of India, many international casinos accept Indian players, and online gambling continues to grow in popularity. Players should ensure they use licensed platforms and understand local laws before engaging in online gaming.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.