Philippines-based gambling operators have been formally warned that offering kickbacks to public officials is a guaranteed one-way trip to jail and/or Palookaville.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) posted a notice to its website alerting all gambling licensees – be they land-based casinos, eGaming venues or online gambling operators – clarifying the regulator’s ironclad ‘No Gift Policy.’

PAGCOR drew attention to a specific section of the Republic Act No. 3019, aka the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public officials from directly or indirectly requesting or receiving gifts, presents or other material benefits from any person or entity over which an official holds the power to intervene on their behalf.

PAGCOR notes that its own ‘No Gift Policy’ prohibits officials from soliciting or accepting “any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value” from any local or foreign party seeking to influence the decision-making process of PAGCOR’s Governing Board, officers, employees and consultants.