iGaming crackdown ramps up in the Philippines

The gaming regulator for the Philippines ordered a pair of locally-licensed iGaming firms to close after detaining 140 staff members. The staff were suspected of having been kidnapped and forced to work illegally. Crimson Tulip BPO also had its Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) license revoked.

PAGCor rescued 40 foreign workers at the iGaming operation in Angeles City and detained 100 people suspected of having been kidnapped and forced into work in Pasig City.

The raids on the two Filipino iGaming enterprises came just a few days after the new head of PAGCor, Alejandro Tengco, revealed that his organization was to lead a collaborative campaign against criminal activities associated with the operation of online gambling websites. This drive was purportedly implemented following the arrest two weeks ago in Angeles City of 43 Chinese nationals suspected of having been illegally employed by an online gaming enterprise known as Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Incorporated.

PAGCor claims that the supervision of the local iGaming industry by POGO licensing regime had boosted the prospects of companies across a wide range of sectors. The Department of Interior and Local Government has been engaged in a nationwide campaign against human trafficking. It has given the Philippine National Police and other associated agencies a two-week deadline to stamp out all illegal activities related to locally-licensed online gambling firms.