Warning: Fake PAGCOR website targets license applicants
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) warns of fake websites that claim to offer gaming licenses and accreditations.Launched on February 22nd, the...
Philippine Senator calls for tighter cryptocurrency rules
Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing for stricter regulations on cryptocurrency use by filing a Senate Resolution.
Sherwin Gatchalian finds serious threats in cryptocurrency use connected to scam operations. According to him, more needs to be done beyond just the POGO ban, which was first announced in July 2024. At the time of the announcement, 60 POGO operators were still active as the POGO ban was not a permanent law.
Gathalian is pushing for stronger action from both the police and government to combat cross-border scammers, arguing that current laws aren’t enough to stop these criminal activities.
Gatchalian said:
“These fraudulent activities are frequently linked to organized cybercriminals, including illegal online gaming operators and cryptocurrency transactions that provide perpetrators with an untraceable means of transferring and laundering illicit funds. The use of cryptocurrencies in these scams also warrants a second look, as it poses a significant challenge to regulators and law enforcement due to the cross-border nature of these transactions and its concealability.”
In January, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group reported eight cases of online scams, changing the total scam number from 2024 to 72.
One of the most known cases involved almost 5,000 Australians who fell victim to a love scam operation based in the Philippines, with losses totaling AU$24 million. The majority of the victims were men, mostly men aged 35 to 80, who were targeted through online dating apps.
FAQs
Is gambling legal in the Philippines?
Gambling is legal in the Philippines and regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and other local authorities.
What is the legal gambling age in the Philippines?
The legal gambling age in the Philippines is 21 years old for casino gambling and 18 years old for lotteries and other forms of betting.
PAGCOR reports a record of $1.91B for 2024 revenues
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) reported 2024 revenues of US$1.91 billion, highlighting an increase of 40.7% when compared to 2023.Before 2024, the...
