In a recent congressional hearing, lawmakers were visibly baffled when PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco explained that the agency “has no power to close illegal sites”, and could only flag them for enforcement by other government bodies. This exchange exposed a widespread misconception — even among policymakers — about where the real authority lies in shutting down unlicensed gambling operations.
In this paper — “Beyond the Blame Game: Understanding PAGCOR’s Real Powers,” I explain clearly what PAGCOR can and cannot do, spotlight the enforcement roles of agencies like the NTC, DOJ, NBI, and PNP, and emphasize the transformative potential of smart regulation — especially through PAGCOR’s accreditation powers over game and service providers.
We also need to ask: how can private sector stakeholders, particularly the operators themselves, step up to help ensure that illegal platforms are curtailed and the regulated framework strengthened?
If legislators see gaps in the enforcement landscape, now is the time to act with concrete, coordinated solutions — not misplaced blame.
In a recent congressional hearing, lawmakers were visibly baffled when PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco explained that the agency “has no power to close illegal sites”, and could only flag them for enforcement by other government bodies. This exchange exposed a widespread misconception — even among policymakers — about where the real authority lies in shutting down unlicensed gambling operations.
Illegal online gambling is the real problem — and it’s time we focus on solutions.
