Lawmaker seeks clarification of PAGCOR authority in Philippines

[The Buzz]

Francis "Chiz" Escudero, chairman of the Philippines' Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, wants to determine the proper role of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. in licensing online gaming operators.

Escudero noted that online gambling, which wasn't around when PAGCOR was created, was added during the framing of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority and the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority.

The tricky issue of who really regulates the country’s online gaming sector is depriving the government of its rightful revenue share, Sen. Chiz Escudero said.

“We need to address this issue with finality so we can finally plug the loopholes in foregone revenues from offshore gaming and put to rest the issue of the legality or illegality of its operation in the country” Escudero said at the regular Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday, Jan. 2.

Currently, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) is asserting authority over online gambling in the country with emphasis, based on a statement it issued that all online licensing “fall within the bound of its charter to operate, authorize and license games of chance, games of cards and games of numbers in the Philippines.”

Read more here: http://newsbytes.ph/2017/02/02/chiz-...in-ceza-apeco/