Philippines Gambling, Church and Law

Online gambling has been legal in the Philippines since 2000. It was in that year that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) became the sole operator of gambling in the Asian country.

Pagcor operates online casinos, bingo, and sports betting sites as well as land based establishments.

By 2002 the Sports and Games Entertainment Corp was joined by PhilWeb as another operator of online casinos in the Philippines.

The church has its say
While the companies, and others too, argue over who has the right to issue licenses and with what government permission, it is a critic from outside the industry that has drawn most attention.

Archbishop Oscar Cruz has faced libel charges after 20 female employees at Pacgor complained against him.

Offensive remarks
It was back in 2004, at Philippines President Gloria Arroyo's husband's birthday party that Archbishop Cruz made his notorious comments. He called the women "pitiful GROs," a reference to guest relations officers.

The women demanded an apology from Archbishop Cruz, who so happens to be the head of the People’s Crusade against Gambling.

No apologies
In his defense, the Archbishop said he was actually trying to defend the women, a line of defense he will be able to clarify on June 17, when he will be arraigned in court.