E-gambling firms want gov't to crack down on illegal operators

ONLINE GAMING companies said the government needs to focus on dismantling illegal gambling operators before restricting licensed platforms.

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“The first thing that we have to address is the illegals,” PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines spokesman and former legislator Michael T. Defensor said on the Money Talks with Cathy Yang program on Tuesday.

Even with the proposed restrictions on the industry, the illegal segment of the industry can still say, “kids can play,” he added.

The PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines consists of 19 companies including DigiPlus Interactive Corp., and World Platinum Technologies, Inc.

“PAGCOR (the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.) would say it’s 60% illegal, 40% legal. For me, it’s worse than that, because I've seen some data; 68% are actually illegal,” he said.