The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to expand the list of individuals barred from entering casinos. This initiative strengthens enforcement of restrictions on public officials and government employees.
Key Details of the Agreement
- The MOA allows DOJ personnel to join PAGCOR’s centralized restricted individuals database, marking the first formal integration of a government agency into this system.
- The current database includes around 600,000 restricted individuals, compared with an estimated 4.5 million government workers nationwide.
- Inclusion of DOJ personnel covers around 60,000 employees across its main office and attached agencies, like the National Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Corrections. As a result, this is expected to improve identification and enforcement at casinos.
Enforcement and Impact
- Casinos must screen patrons against the database upon entry and when processing payouts.
- PAGCOR has already voided PHP310 million ($5.5 million) in winnings after confirming certain players were ineligible to participate.
- The initiative is part of broader efforts to uphold ethical standards in the public sector. It ensures government officials comply with restrictions under Presidential Decree 1869. This decree prohibits government employees from gambling in licensed casinos.
Broader Regulatory Context
- The Philippines maintains a strict casino entry framework. This framework also restricts minors, members of the military and police, and participants in exclusion programs.
- PAGCOR’s centralized database enables licensed operators to verify identities efficiently. However, enforcement challenges persist due to the large size of the public sector workforce.
- Authorities expect that strengthening inter-agency coordination and data-sharing will improve overall compliance and oversight of casino operations.
This MOA reflects the Philippines’ commitment to ethical gaming practices and demonstrates how inter-agency collaboration can enhance regulatory enforcement.
Source: Asia Gaming Brief (AGB)
