The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) recently issued a stern warning, alerting the public to be cautious of offshore gambling websites that operate illegally under the guise of being "legal".
In the "post-POGO era", despite the Philippines having banned offshore gambling operations, illegal platforms continue to operate actively. Last Sunday, PAGCOR issued a notice naming 11 gambling websites that falsely claim to be licensed under its name, including: efesbetcasino514.com, OG7777.com, Mpo500.com, QQ88.com, mpo2121.com, Lgolive.com, napolibet.com, Kratosbet.com, mpossport.com, efsanebahis434.com, and cazeus2.com.
These sites not only operate illegally but also misuse the PAGCOR logo and even forge licenses to mislead users. Alejandro Tengco, Chairman and CEO of PAGCOR, strongly condemned this: "These platforms have never been authorized by PAGCOR, they misuse the institution's name, not only infringing on regulatory authority but also posing a direct threat to the public."
Complete ban on POGO in the Philippines by 2024
In July 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos officially announced the abolition of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in his State of the Nation Address, citing their high association with organized crimes such as online fraud, human trafficking, and kidnapping. He pointed out that some offshore gambling platforms, while ostensibly conducting legal business, actually serve as covers for illegal activities such as money laundering and prostitution.
Despite the government issuing Executive Order No. 74, requiring all POGOs to cease operations by December 31, 2023, some original licensees and service providers continue to operate in violation of the rules. Tengco emphasized: "Any entity claiming to hold a PAGCOR offshore gambling license is openly violating the law."
"Lucky 7" fake gambling case further warns of market risks
Beyond illegal gambling websites, PAGCOR also exposed a scam operated by fake partners called "Lucky 7 Bingo". Although Lucky 7 Bingo Corp itself holds a license to operate electronic gaming venues, its offshore gambling partnership has been proven to be completely fabricated.
The scam lures gamblers to deposit 3,000 pesos (about 53 USD), promising a chance to win a 50,000 pesos prize. Jessa Fernandez, head of PAGCOR's Offshore Gaming Licensing Department, stated: "Lucky 7 has no valid offshore gaming authorization, and the so-called partnerships and licenses are completely forged, constituting a typical fraud."
Call for public vigilance and active reporting
Both Tengco and Fernandez urge all sectors of society to remain highly vigilant against gambling platforms that operate under the PAGCOR banner. "If you find a suspicious website, please report it to us immediately." Tengco stated that PAGCOR is actively cooperating with law enforcement agencies to combat all unauthorized gambling activities, ensuring that public rights are not infringed.
