Pagcor says crackdown on Pogo workers with criminal records in full swing

The country’s gaming regulator will actively cooperate with Chinese law enforcement authorities to crack down on nationals from the mainland with criminal records who are currently working in the country’s online gaming industry.

In a press statement, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) said it welcomed recent measures taken by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines against Chinese citizens who are illegally working or doing business in the country.

“The crackdown is a result of Pagcor’s constant coordination with the Chinese embassy and law enforcement agencies to ensure that proper regulations are observed,” said the Philippine gaming regulator in charge of overlooking online gaming operations.

“With China’s recent move, illegal Chinese workers who are involved in various cybercrime fraud – including those who are employed in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (Pogos) – will have to face the consequences,” Pagcor said.

According to the regulator, at least 2,000 – or three percent of the 70,000 Chinese nationals who were illegally working in Pogos and in other fraudulent offshore operations – have already been repatriated to their country since Jan. 15, 2019.

“In view of this development, Pagcor will continue to cooperate closely with the Chinese Embassy and other law enforcement agencies to help arrest illegal aliens and penalize employers who are coddling Chinese fugitives,” it said.

Pagcor also ordered all Pogo operators to surrender to the Chinese embassy all illegal workers with suspected criminal records.

The state-run gaming agency is working with other agencies, like the Department of Justice, for the creation of an operations center where all problems related to illegal gambling and cybercrime will be addressed.

“With this shared effort, Pagcor can be sure that all operations being made by the law enforcement agencies are in accordance with the law,” it added.

Edited by TSB