The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has sent a stern warning to public servants, confirming the annulment of approximately P310 million in casino winnings from government employees in 2025.
PAGCOR Chairperson Alejandro Tengco revealed that the individuals involved spanned various government departments and local government units (LGUs).
Upholding the Gambling Ban for Public Servants
The controversy highlights a long-standing legal boundary. Under Presidential Decree No. 1869 (the PAGCOR Charter) and Memorandum Circular No. 6, all government officials are strictly prohibited from participating in casino gambling.
Chairperson Tengco noted that while many individuals complained that they had a “right” to their winnings, the agency’s position remains unyielding: since they are legally barred from entry, they have no legal claim to any prizes.
“The person involved should never have been inside the gaming venue in the first place,” Tengco stated during an ambush interview. “Winnings were confiscated because the employee should not have been allowed to play at all.”
DOJ Partnership to Enhance Monitoring
To strengthen enforcement and send a warning, PAGCOR has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Justice (DOJ). This arrangement allows for the sharing of employee profiles to facilitate faster identity checks at gaming venues.
Tengco indicated that two other cabinet secretaries have already reached out to establish similar data-sharing protocols to root out public servants violating the ban. This drive is also part of a wider effort to ensure that casinos are not used as a conduit for laundering illicit funds or “kickbacks” from government projects.
