The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has stepped up its campaign against illegal gambling with a Php50 million grant to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), aimed at intensifying operations against unlawful gaming activities, including the banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

The financial support was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed at PAGCOR’s Corporate Office in Pasay City by PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco and NBI Director Jaime Santiago. During the ceremony, PAGCOR immediately turned over Php25 million to the NBI, representing the first tranche of the total assistance.

Chairman Tengco emphasized that the partnership reflects PAGCOR’s broader mission to regulate gaming responsibly while safeguarding the integrity of the industry. “This agreement underscores the shared responsibility of PAGCOR and the NBI in promoting lawful, fair, and responsible gaming in the Philippines,” he said.

The grant will help cover operational costs, including food and other expenses for POGO detainees, and support the NBI’s legitimate enforcement efforts. Tengco added, “Illegal gambling operators undermine our laws, exploit our people, and put our communities at risk. By working hand in hand with the NBI, we are sending a strong message that we will not allow unlawful gaming practices to persist.”

NBI Director Santiago welcomed the assistance, noting that it would significantly enhance the Bureau’s capacity to pursue its mandate. “This partnership affirms our shared duty to uphold the law and protect the Filipino people,” Santiago said.

The Php50 million grant marks a decisive move in the government’s ongoing efforts to dismantle illegal gambling networks and ensure that revenues from legal gaming contribute meaningfully to national development.