The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (Ceza) has broken up the online gaming duopoly of two master licensors and revoked the registration of 164 business processing (BPO) firms providing support services to offshore gaming operators in a bid to eradicate illegal online gaming operations in the agency. In a press statement, Ceza administrator and chief executive officer Raul Lambino said the agency made the move as part of the major reforms to eradicate illegal online gaming operations and level the playing field in the economic zone. Malacñang released the directive early this year to strengthen the fight against illegal gambling and clarify the jurisdiction and authority of government agencies in the regulation and licensing of gambling and online gaming facilities. The separate supplemental agreements recently signed between Ceza and FCLRC and NCGAC would inevitably pave the way for the entry of new players, said Lambino, who took the Ceza helm in late July. Each of the supplemental agreements signed on Nov. 20 provides that “regulatory functions and powers over all gaming operators, land-based and offshore, shall be the exclusive authority of Ceza.”

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 16, 2017 20:37 UTC