Philippines gaming regulator PAGCOR says it will step up efforts to block and remove illegal online gaming websites following a proliferation of sites using PAGCOR’s logo without permission.
The agency said Tuesday it has endorsed moves by Philippine National Police, the Department of Information and Communication Technology and the National Bureau of Investigation to fully investigate and monitor such sites – which pretend they are connected with licensed offshore gaming in the Philippines – and to take proper enforcement action.
“So far, we have been able to shut down most of these illicit websites, but some of them are able to immediately create new ones so we really need the public’s cooperation and vigilance to help us weed out these scammers,” said PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco, adding that they agency would also look at engaging with electronic payment service providers on the possible blocking of payments made to and from illegal gambling websites.
This, he said, has proven effective in the US and Singapore.
“In coordination with the NTC, we will also continue to follow up on illegal sites that have not been blocked or taken down,” Tengco continued. “Another option is to create a landing site to redirect bettors to a website that will warn them about illegal sites that they are accessing.”
Such sites “may pose risks to your personal and financial information,” he said.