PH Supreme Court dismisses challenge to PAGCOR’s regulatory measures on POGOs

The Supreme Court dismissed appeals contesting the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) jurisdiction to impose rules on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) operating under the 2016-approved RR-POGO.

According to a local media source, technical difficulties were the reason for the denial of the applications, which were submitted by different organizations and people.

In these instances, there was a dispute regarding the legality of the regulations controlling the licensing, registration, and accreditation of agents, operators, and associated service providers of offshore gambling.

It was determined that the petitioners, which included lawyer Jovencio Evangelista, the Union for National Development and Good Governance Philippines (Unilad), and the Anti-Trapo Movement of the Philippines Inc., had ignored the court’s hierarchy and had not provided enough evidence to support their claims.

Furthermore, the panel concluded that the petitioners had no direct or personal interest in the enforcement of the RR-POGO.

The Supreme Court came to the conclusion that the facts at hand did not provide enough evidence to substantiate the arguments made about the problems’ alleged transcendent nature.

The petitioners disputed the legality of the RR-POGO, arguing that PAGCOR was not authorized to regulate online and offshore gambling enterprises. They petitioned the Supreme Court to permanently bar PAGCOR from carrying out the terms of the RR-POGO.

In August of the previous year, PAGCOR announced an updated offshore gaming regulatory framework, renaming POGO as Internet gambling licensees (IGLs).

Original story by: Asia Gaming Brief