Jan15
Philippines Follow Cambodia's Suit and Terminates Online Licensing, China Salutes the Decision
August 24, 2019 Andrej Vidovic
After Cambodia announced a complete halt of their online gambling market following a surge of illegal gambling activity in the country, the Philippines has followed in their footsteps and stopped further issuing of offshore licenses to operators.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has said this will remain effective until at least the end of 2019 and this is for the very same reason as in Cambodia: the swarming of illegal operations and general security of players.
Region’s Stability is at Stake
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Geng Shuang, said that his country is appreciative of the direction Cambodia and the Philippines have undertaken…
…and has called on for a complete ban of all online gambling activity in the latter nation.
The surprising meddling of China into internal matters of this Pacific nation isn’t, in fact, all that uncalled for: a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy has accused Philippines’ regulator for issuing licenses to operators that specifically target Chinese people.
Says Geng: “We note the Philippine government’s announcement and appreciate it. We hope the Philippines will go further and ban all online gambling. We hope it will further strengthen law enforcement with China and tly tackle criminal activities including online gambling and cyber fraud.
This will help create an enabling environment for our bilateral relations and peace and stability in the region.”
China’s Serious Allegations
Geng even touched upon the recently announced complete ban of online gambling in Cambodia – activity which he deems, in a very dramatic fashion, “a most dangerous tumour in modern society, detested by people all across the world.”
“China highly appreciates Cambodia’s decision to ban online gambling. We believe it will help protect both Cambodian and Chinese people’s interests. It will also strengthen our law enforcement cooperation and friendly relations,” he said, adding that this year will be the year of mutual law enforcement cooperation between two nations.
The spokesperson argues that illegal gambling has contributed to the increase of social problems in China as well as a surge in crime…
…as some of nationals have been enticed to work in Philippines,’ resulting in “extortion, physical abuse, kidnapping and even torture.”
The Time is Nigh For Tackling the Problem
Andrea Domingo, chairman and CEO of PAGCOR, has said that the licensing process was terminated three weeks ago…
…and that the regulator will review the existing contracts as this suspension continues for offshore gaming operators. She has noted that there were concerns about security issues and that it was decided to do what is necessary to address the issues immediately.
“We will no longer at this time accept applications until we have reviewed and addressed everybody’s concerns. It’s about time, after almost three years of implementing this programme, to stop and look at other concerns that we have not resolved comfortably and effectively,” said Domingo
A Job Well Done?
This March, a t cooperation between PAGCOR, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration and the Office of Cybercrime formed an inter-agency council which seeks to tackle illegal online gambling.
Domingo has reiterated that offshore operators have been warned about their staff and that a very good job has been done already. “Other countries are looking at now looking at our model,” she claims.
Source:
“China calls on Philippines to ban online gambling”, igamingbusiness.com, August 21,
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I really don’t think it’s any of China’s business to meddle in affairs of a sovereign nation such as having or not having the online gambling market. And wow, what fatalistic rhetoric!