PAGCOR to stop granting licenses to e-Bingo, e-Games

Casino regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) will temporarily stop issuing licenses for e-Games and e-Bingo stations, following pronouncements of President Rodrigo Duterte that online gambling must be stopped during his term.

"Sa licensing, 'wag muna mag-process ng licenses for new para sa e-Games at e-Bingo until i-clarify kung sakop sila (sa online gambling) or hindi... pati renewals," newly-appointed PAGCOR Chair Andrea Domingo said in an interview on GMA News' "Balitanghali."

This comes after Duterte vowed to stop the proliferation of online gambling during his administration's first Cabinet meeting last week.

"'Yung online gambling must stop... Kung saan-saan na lang nag-sprout... mahirap na puro sugal na lang ang nalalaman nitong mga ito," he said.

He also said he would suggest that PAGCOR cancel the licenses of online gambling operators in the country.

Domingo noted, however, that the PAGCOR may not have the power to do so given it only has authority over its e-Bingo and e-Games stations.

"Meron kaming gumagamit ng computer pero 'yun, closed system 'yun... Hindi 'yun naka-ano sa internet kaya kailangan pumunta sa shop o sa station para maglaro. 'Yun 'yung e-Bingo at tsaka e-Games," she said.

Online gambling in the Philippines includes betting in live streams of cock fights and gaming like jai alai.

"'Yun, hindi naman sakop 'yun," Domingo said.

Domingo also said she will have to clarify what Duterte meant by online gambling. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/ALG, GMA News