Pagcor donates P5 million to NBI

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has donated P5 million to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to support the agency’s efforts to combat illegal online gambling.  

The amount will be used to purchase various equipment to improve cyber response, cybercrime investigation and cyber security such as laptops; video camcorders; laser multifunction scanner/printer/copier; multimedia LED projectors; LED TV; two-terabyte portable external drives; collection suite for file collection and relocation management; DVR examiner; and data extraction, transfer and analysis device.

PAGCOR chairperson and chief executive officer Andrea Domingo expressed hope the strengthened collaboration among agencies will curb illegal online gambling in the country.

“We will extend all possible assistance that we can provide within our capacity because you are helping us in our fight against unlawful gaming operations,” Domingo said. 

The PAGCOR chief said the government loses millions from unlawful gambling.

“Through the help of government institutions such as the NBI, we prevent this from happening and we are able to generate more funds from our regulated gaming operations,” Domingo said.     

In February last year, President Duterte signed an executive order aimed at strengthening the fight against illegal gambling and clarify the jurisdiction and authority of concerned agencies in the regulation and licensing of gambling and online gaming facilities.

Also last year, PAGCOR allocated P5 million to the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Cybercrime Group for the purchase of computers and other equipment that will detect internet-based crimes and illegal online gambling.