Nicolas Torre vows to lead Philippine police crack down on illegal gambling

Nicolas Torre III, the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, has vowed to combat illegal gambling as he embarks on his term in office. 

Torre assumed his role as the head of the PNP in a ceremony at Camp Crame in Quezon City, Metro Manila on Monday. 

The 55-year-old officer acknowledged the extent of the problem in the Southeast Asian archipelagic country, as he prepares to direct his force to crack down on illicit activity.

“Illegal gambling is as perennial as the grass”, he said during a press briefing after the ceremony.

“We give no quarters. We do not spare anyone in the work of illegal gambling. We will go after them,” added Nicolas Torre, making his intentions clear.

He continued to stress the need for an effective licensed, regulated gambling framework to assist efforts to bust the illicit market. 

His calls come as the entire Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) senior leadership team has stepped down.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appears to have taken steps to influence the clearout and replacement of those in senior leadership positions in government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs). 

The president could be looking to bolster support, but the departures leave a void that needs to be filled in one of the Philippines’ biggest money-making sectors. 

PAGCOR contributed Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of PHP 410 billion ($7.15 billion) to the coffers of the Philippines from Q1 2024 until the latest Q1 2025 reports. This would be a 25% improvement on the mandated amount that is projected from the administration of licensed premises within the nation, according to a recent report.

These results follow the  2024 ban on offshore gaming operators, known locally as POGOs, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators. 

These casinos have largely targeted and been catered to people in mainland China, where gambling is illegal, while also having a significant domestic impact.

Both licensed and illicit operators had expanded across the country, with tens of thousands of Chinese and foreign nationals said to be employed by them.

Image credit: PTVph/X

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