Pagcor cancels accreditation of offshore gaming firmed linked to criminal activities
THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) announced last Wednesday it has cancelled the accreditation of offshore gaming customer relations service provider CGC Technologies Inc. (CGC).
The cancellation of CGC’S accreditation came barely a week after Pagcor issued a stern warning to its offshore gaming licensees and its accredited service providers who are involved in illegal activities, the gaming regulator said through a statement.
“Investigations confirm that CGC, an accredited service provider operating under offshore gaming licensee Oriental Game Ltd. (OGL), was involved in criminal activities thus warranting the cancellation of its accreditation,” the Pagcor statement read. “It was also found that CGC violated some of the conditions attached to its accreditation.”
The Pagcor said that alongside the cancellation order is the “forfeiture of CGC’S Performance Bond effective immediately.” Likewise, Pagcor imposed a fine of $350,000 to its offshore gaming licensee OGL “for its failure to ensure the legitimate conduct of CGC’S business.”
Pagcor Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco was quoted in the statement as again reminding all offshore gaming licensees and service providers to abide by the Philippine laws to avoid severe consequences.
Tengco also noted that those with cancelled accreditations and licenses must immediately cease their operations.
“Continued operations despite the cancellation of their accreditation or licenses shall be considered illegal. Immediate action will be taken against those who are engaging in such,” the Pagcor chief said.
“Pagcor strongly advocates responsible gaming to curb all forms of social ills being linked to gaming. This is the reason why we continue to forge close partnership with other government agencies. Through proper regulation and cooperation with our law enforcement agencies, we will continue to ensure that revenues from regulated gaming will be used for more worthy causes, especially nation-building,” Tengco added.
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, 2023. The company was embroiled in various allegations including credit card fraud, serious illegal detention, and human trafficking activities.
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.