by Info @Brand Zone | May 31, 2023
Following the recent cancellation of CGC Technologies’ (CGC’s) accreditation – an
offshore gaming service provider based in Pampanga – the Philippine Amusement
and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) likewise cancelled the provisional accreditation
of Sun Valley Clark as an offshore gaming hub.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco stated that the Sun Valley Clark Hub
in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga is “no longer suitable to maintain its provisional
accreditation, nor be issued a full accreditation as an offshore gaming hub due to its
failure to ensure a lawful and orderly conduct of offshore gaming by its occupants in
its registered sites.”
It can be recalled that on May 4, 2023, an inter-agency search and rescue operation
was conducted in Sun Valley after alleged criminal activities such as cryptocurrency
investment scams, serious illegal detention and human trafficking activities were
being linked to CGC, which occupies six buildings inside the offshore gaming hub. Of
the six buildings, however, only two were accredited by PAGCOR.
A POGO hub is a complex which houses the operations, logistical, administrative
and support services of PAGCOR-licensed offshore gaming operators and service
providers. Among the facilities found in a POGO hub are office and residential
spaces, food establishments, grocery stores or supermarkets, health and wellness
facilities, recreational facilities, among others.
With the cancellation of Sun Valley Clark Hub, Tengco again reminded PAGCOR’s
offshore gaming operators and service providers to avoid any involvement in criminal
activities, should they wish to retain their accreditations and licenses.
“This serves as a warning to all our offshore gaming licensees and accredited
service providers that PAGCOR is serious in its mission to uphold responsible and
regulated gaming in the country. While we see the potential of offshore gaming in
terms of our revenue-generation efforts, we do not condone their involvement in any
criminal activity that violates the rights – not only of Filipinos but of other nationalities
as well,” Tengco furthered.
The PAGCOR chief likewise warned foreign nationals to be more cautious in
accepting attractive online job offers in the Philippines, which fraudsters use as a
strategy to engage in human trafficking.
“PAGCOR would like to remind foreign nationals who are being offered attractive
employment opportunities in the Philippines to check the credibility of the companies
that they are applying in. By going the extra mile, they can protect themselves from
possible scams and human trafficking activities,” he said.
Tengco added that PAGCOR is continuously coordinating with its partner
government agencies including the Office of the President, Department of Justice,
Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police,
National Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Immigration to combat illegal
activities linked to offshore gaming operations.