The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation is taking legal action against 33
offshore gaming licensees, including some who have left the country, for unpaid fees
amounting to P2.02 billion, according to Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco.
PAGCOR records show that the operators, who were given licenses during the
previous administration, have not paid their license fees for over a year now in
violation of Section 4.C of the Offshore Gaming Regulatory Manual.
Mr. Tengco said despite appeals by the current management, the offshore gaming
operators in question have not remitted regulatory fees due to PAGCOR.
“Because of this situation, we are duty-bound to take a legal course of action. We
are now in the process of gathering pertinent information to file appropriate cases
against them,” he said.
Of the 33 erring offshore gaming operators, two were billed as of May 2023 while two
others were endorsed to PAGCOR’s Legal Group since February 2023.
Also, while five of the operators already closed shop, Tengco warned that their
refusal to abide by Philippine laws and to pay the government what is due shall be
dealt with legally.
“PAGCOR will continue to ensure that all our regulated gaming entities – including
offshore gaming operators and service providers – will abide by our regulatory
policies, including proper payment of fees and taxes,” he said.
During a congressional hearing early this week, the PAGCOR chief said some
offshore gaming operators who were granted licenses during the previous
administration closed shop during the pandemic, leaving behind billions of pesos in
unpaid dues.
