The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to expand the list of individuals barred from entering casinos, strengthening enforcement of existing restrictions on public officials.
According to the Philippine News Agency, the agreement enables DOJ personnel to be included in PAGCOR’s centralized database of restricted individuals. It marks the first such arrangement between PAGCOR and a government agency, reflecting efforts to improve compliance through closer inter-agency coordination.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the current database includes around 600,000 restricted individuals, compared with an estimated 4.5 million government officials and workers nationwide. Under Presidential Decree 1869, government employees are prohibited from entering or gambling in licensed casinos.
The DOJ employs approximately 60,000 personnel across its main office and attached agencies, including the National Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Corrections. Their inclusion is expected to enhance identification and enforcement at gaming venues.
Tengco also noted that PAGCOR has voided PHP310 million ($5.5 million) in casino winnings after verifying that certain players were ineligible to participate. Casinos are required to screen patrons against the database upon entry and when processing payouts.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said the initiative is intended to reinforce accountability and uphold ethical standards within the public sector, particularly by preventing violations of gambling restrictions.
The Philippines maintains a strict casino entry framework under Presidential Decree 1869 and related regulations. Government officials and employees are prohibited from entering or gambling in licensed casinos, alongside members of the military and police, minors, and individuals enrolled in exclusion programs.
PAGCOR oversees enforcement through a centralized database used by licensed operators for identity verification. Despite these measures, enforcement has been challenged by the large size of the public sector workforce, prompting authorities to strengthen inter-agency coordination and expand data-sharing efforts to improve compliance and oversight.
