PAGCOR Warns Public Against Fake Website Scamming License Applicants

Recently, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has issued a public warning against a fraudulent website that falsely claimed to issue gaming licenses and accreditations.

The gaming regulator highlighted that the website in question is being operated by scammers and urged everyone to avoid engaging with them.

The Fraudulent Website

In a statement, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco stated the website uses the domain name www.pagcorphilippines.com. He confirmed that this domain is not affiliated with the official gaming authority. They have no affiliation, as that is a scam.

He also warned against downloading any materials or performing transactions through the website, as its contents are completely false.

“We urge the public not to download anything or transact through the said fake website because it is definitely not from PAGCOR, and all its contents are spurious,” Tengco stated.

The PAGCOR CEO also pointed out that the accreditation forms displayed on the scam website contain a forged signature that does not belong to him, highlighting the deceitful nature of the operation.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today warned the public about an alarming scam operation in which fraudsters are impersonating its top executives to deceive individuals and businesses.

Read full press statement: https://t.co/RR9iSrHypG#PAGCOR pic.twitter.com/zsc6a9Z5Gg

— Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (@pagcorph) February 25, 2025

Authorities Take Action

The issue was taken to the authorities.

In response to this scam, PAGCOR formally reported the matter to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). DICT took the matter for further investigation.

Tengco assured everyone that the agency is dedicated to uncovering those responsible and will undoubtedly take legal action.

“We are also working to identify the persons behind this fraud, and we shall go after them with the full force and extent of the law,” Tengco confirmed.

Scam Website Launched Over the Weekend

According to the press release, the fake website was launched on Saturday, February 22. This happens to be the day when the regulatory body was not in operation.

Tengco believes this was a deliberate move to deceive companies seeking gaming licenses.

“It is clearly intended to fool people, particularly those who are seeking licenses to operate from PAGCOR,” he noted.

Official PAGCOR Website

To prevent the public from falling for this kind of scams, Tengco stated that PAGCOR has only one legitimate website: www.pagcor.ph.

He advised companies that seek official gaming licenses to only engage with this verified domain.

Moreover, PAGCOR reminded the public to be very cautious when dealing with online transactions, especially those related to gaming and licensing. Working with legitimate domains ensures they avoid falling prey to scams and false schemes.

Impact on the Online Gambling Industry and Future Precautions

The emergence of fraudulent websites like these is a serious threat to the integrity of the online gambling industry.

They not only harm individuals but also tarnish the reputation of legitimate gaming operators and regulators. If left unchecked, these deceptive schemes could increase regulatory scrutiny and even harm the trust that the public puts in online gaming platforms.

And considering the effort gaming platforms put into responsible gaming, this could potentially undermine all those efforts.

Some of the ways this could be curtailed is for operators and regulators to enhance cybersecurity measures. They should also regularly monitor websites and also work on educating the public about potential frauds.

Additionally, potential license applicants should verify all information directly with PAGCOR’s official channels before they do anything. This should be the first step, even.

The dangerous situation PACGOR was put in could lead to more similar cases, unless the public – and the licensees – are not informed and guarded.