Philippines Gambling Monopoly Suspends Online Casino Licenses

PAGCOR, the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation, is a state gambling monopoly that controls all gambling operations within the Philippines. The group has exclusive rights to license and operate gambling establishments throughout the country. PAGCOR is putting a hold on issuing any new casino licenses and they will be closely monitoring existing license holders. This move is being made as the new president, Benigno Aquino III has made it know that he wishes to control the growth of gambling within the country.

It has been speculated that PAGCOR will begin asking casinos that are operating outside of known tourist locations to relocate their operations in order to accomodate foreigners. It is legal for the locals to gamble at the casinos, but most of the revenue that is generated by the land-casinos in the Philippines comes from the pockets of foreigners.