Legal
March 28, 2022
PAGCOR Investigation Leads to Suspension of Suncity Group’s License
Suncity Group has been deemed as unsuitable to hold a license to operate Philippines junkets after an investigation in which customers were complaining about the company withholding funds from them. This represents the culmination of the investigation that was launched by PAGCOR back in August 2021. The Evidence Was Substantial According to the Gaming Regulator […]
Casino
March 28, 2022
The Philippines Suspends Suncity Group License, Offers Recovery Option
The Philippines has faced numerous challenges in regard to its gambling industry of late. The recently-regulated e-sabong vertical has turned out to be permeated by corrupt policemen and officials, leading to a spate of crimes. Yet, the Philippines has been actively trying to do the right thing on all levels of the industry and the […]
Sports
March 22, 2022
Philippines Investigates Policemen for Assisting E-Sabong Disappearances
The Philippines is amping up its efforts to curtail the spreading of crime associated with e-sabong, a lucrative gambling activity that was legalized just a year ago and that has already been yielding steady results for the treasury, but with an important caveat. Crime associated with the activity has been growing exponentially, ranging from kidnappings […]
Sports
March 18, 2022
Philippines Recognizes Need for Action But Still Loves E-Sabong
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte knows that a line must be drawn – he just isn’t entirely sure if it should come at the expense of tax revenue. The e-sabong popularity in his country has nevertheless grown over the past two years but so have multiple reports that authorities may be overlooking some serious criminal offenses. […]
Sports
March 16, 2022
E-sabong Addiction ‘Forces’ Woman to Pawn Her Child to Repay Debt
E-sabong has long been one of the most popular activities in the Philippines and the pandemic really highlighted the need for more regulation in the sector. The country made a quick course correction to regulate betting on cock fights and introduced online wagers, hoping to clamp down on illegal gambling but also bolster its own […]
Legal
March 7, 2022
FATF: Philippines Should Continue Strengthening AML, CFT Regime
The global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), released on Friday its latest report regarding jurisdictions that are under increased monitoring. This list is also referred to as the “grey list.” The watchdog explained that countries on the grey list are collaborating with the FATF to resolve deficiencies related […]
Sports
March 7, 2022
PAGCOR Looking Into the Repercussions of Suspending e-Sabong Activities
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has used caution to respond to the Senate’s requests to shut down all online cockfighting (e-sabong) operations in the country. The request comes in the context of a series of missing person cases that are presumably tied to e-sabong activities. PAGCOR Cites Legal and Financial Repercussions of the […]
Industry
March 2, 2022
Philippines: Gaming Industry GGR Hits $2.2BN in 2021
Easing COVID-related restrictions resulted in an increase in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the gaming industry in the Philippines. Judging by recent figures released by PAGCOR, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the industry is on its way to rebound, after seeing GGR for the calendar year (CY) 2021 surpass $2 billion. Philippine Industry on […]
Sports
February 22, 2022
Disappearances, Killings Linked to Cockfighting in Philippines
Kidnappings and human trafficking tied to illegal gambling operations are a constant threat in the Southeast Asia region, and often, patterns emerge that have local authorities on high alert. One such is the disappearance of 30 people who have gone missing since January. Their disappearances have been tied to online cockfighting or e-sabong, and the National Bureau […]
Casino
February 11, 2022
Philippines Casinos’ Player Exclusion Rate Went up 15% in 2021
Government-owned, gaming regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) coordinated by the Office of the President has released the latest report on the number of gamblers that were excluded by casinos in 2021. While last year’s figures indicate a 15% rise in the number of players who opted for self-exclusion compared to 2020, the 2019 […]