Violations committed by almost half of the registered Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) have surfaced at the budget hearing of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
AMLC Exec. Dir. Mel George Racela disclosed that 26 of the 62 registered POGOs in the country have listed the same addresses with that of their service providers which is a violation of the government’s requirement.
Racela said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) requires the gaming operators to hire service providers in the country to benefit the country’s economy.
Information are now being gathered on the owners of the erring POGOs.
Meanwhile, the AMLC admitted in the budget deliberation at the Senate that its artificial intelligence program will not continue due to the reduction in their proposed fund.
The AI Program is supposed to accelerate the evaluation of suspected illegal transactions but with the budget cut, the assessments will still have to be conducted manually.
– Report from Eunice Samonte
