PAGCOR has warned the public against illegal Bingo and online gambling organizations using Facebook to promote their services.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation is a government gambling protection and management organization in the Philippines.
Recently, the organization has activated some operations to facilitate the resumption of legal gambling throughout the territory after Covid19.
In addition to creating new guidelines for the reopening of casinos after Covid19, a battle has begun by PAGCOR against social networks
In a public warning, the organization said that fraudsters were taking advantage of social media and uncertainties brought by the pandemic to scam the public, steal financial information, or use stolen identities for illegal purposes.
The statement reiterated that no person or organization other than those authorized by PAGCOR or other government agencies is authorized to gamble in the country and that it is a crime to participate in illegal gambling activities.
In a separate letter, PAGCOR’s Chief Legal Counsel, Atty. Roderick R. Consolacion warned Facebook Philippines against being used by the persons organizing the illegal bingo games and internet/ online gambling, to promote illegal activities.
Atty. Consolacion asked Facebook the Philippines to “act immediately against such activities to avoid the perception that your company is aiding and abetting the same.”
The problem of illegal gambling has long involved organizations around the world.
Social networks and their diffusion and ease of use, favors the illegal, the right terrain of action.
The few controls of the authorities and the carelessness of platforms such as Facebook, favor this spread.
In the Philippines, Covid19 and its pandemic have caused countless losses for gambling establishments, which in the coming months will have to try to react to the huge crisis that still reigns over the whole country