A Philippine House lawmaker has filed a bill that calls for the reorganization of the responsibilities of the country’s main regulator that also functions as a gambling operator at present in a manner that would turn it into a “purely regulatory” entity.
According to proposals in House Bill 6514, which bears the name of Mr Alvarez and that of House deputy majority leader Juan Pablo Bondoc, the regulator would cease to be an operator of some casinos, and change its name from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp known as Pagcor to that of the “Philippine Amusements and Gaming Authority”, to be known by the acronym “Paga”. (READ SO: PHILIPPINES OUT OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONEY LAUNDERING WATCH LIST)
Since Pagcor was currently “both an operator of casinos and regulator of the same, there is a lingering doubt as to its ability to effectively enforce its regulatory powers” stated the bill.
Its responsibilities will include monitoring and controlling the provision of gambling services within the country’s borders, ensuring that only licensed entities are targeting local players, and protecting children and other vulnerable people from becoming victims to gambling addiction and other gambling-related harm.
Also, the entity has to ensure that only gambling companies that have no criminal past and are free from criminal influence are providing their services to Philippine customers.
However, PAGA will no longer be the regulatory body that will issue gambling licenses. That responsibility will be assumed by the Philippine Legislature.
