THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) said it is cracking down on illegal offshore gaming activities in the Clark Freeport Zone.
PAGCOR Assistant Vice-President for Offshore Gaming Licensing Jessa Mariz R. Fernandez said in a statement that the regulator will impose heavier sanctions on licensed offshore gaming operators and accredited service providers who violate the rules.
“As part of these sanctions, 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,” PAGCOR said.
Clark Development Corp. (CDC) will also stop processing 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 a license from PAGCOR,” CDC President and Chief Executive Officer Agnes Vicenta Salayo Torres-Devanadera said.
PAGCOR currently has four accredited service providers and one licensed offshore gaming operator within the freeport zone.
PAGCOR said it also joined the Clark Security Advisory Council to “curb all illegal offshore gaming activities within the Clark Freeport Zone.”
“Prior to the launch of the creation of the Clark Security Council, PAGCOR had canceled the provisional accreditation of Sun Valley Clark as an offshore gaming hub within the Clark Freeport Zone for its failure to ensure the lawful and orderly conduct of offshore gaming by its occupants in its registered sites,” it said.
It also canceled the accreditation of Pampanga-based offshore gaming service provider CGC Technologies after the company was “embroiled in various allegations including credit card fraud, serious illegal detention, and human trafficking activities.” — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson