QUOTE(Margaux Ortiz @ Inquirer)
NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents raided an online casino fronting as an Internet cafe Monday night in a popular nightspot strip in Manila and seized 23 computer units containing sophisticated gambling programs.
The NBI agents conducted the raid on Fast Ball Internet Cafe, allegedly owned and operated by Koreans, upon the request of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).
Pagcor officials had certified that the amusement center was not licensed or authorized to operate as a game facility, according to an NBI report.
The operation took place a week after agents of the NBI Anti-Fraud and Computer Crimes Division (AFCCD) headed by Regional Director Elfren Meneses Jr. raided an alleged gambling den disguised as an amusement center in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.
NBI investigation showed that the Quezon City establishment, which yielded 71 expensive slot machines, was also owned by a Korean.
The seized slot machines were estimated to be worth over P21 million. In addition, they were said to be “so advanced” that the Pagcor’s own machines paled in comparison.
Before raiding the Internet cafe at the corner of Julio Nakpil and J. Bacobo Streets in Malate, NBI agents applied for a search warrant.
Special Investigator Roel Jovenir of the NBI AFCCD said the increasing number of Koreans operating online casinos and gambling dens “may have something to do with their refusal to pay business taxes in the country.”
Jovenir also noted that the Internet cafe discouraged non-Koreans from entering the establishment by imposing a P100 per hour fee for its services.
“Customers normally pay P15 per hour to surf the Internet so they end up avoiding Fast Ball,” he added.
The NBI investigator likewise said that the online games at the Internet cafe could also be popular in Korea.
Apart from the 23 computer units, the NBI agents also seized 17 office chairs and 350 prepaid cards allegedly used to access the online games.
“The cafe’s customers pay for the Internet cards with US dollars or Korean won, again discouraging local residents from patronizing the establishment,” Jovenir said.
The NBI agents invited for questioning four Koreans believed to be involved in the establishment’s operations.
“But we have yet to identify the actual owners and operators of Fast Ball,” Jovenir said.
The suspects face charges for violating Republic Act 9887 or An Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Games.
The NBI agents conducted the raid on Fast Ball Internet Cafe, allegedly owned and operated by Koreans, upon the request of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).
Pagcor officials had certified that the amusement center was not licensed or authorized to operate as a game facility, according to an NBI report.
The operation took place a week after agents of the NBI Anti-Fraud and Computer Crimes Division (AFCCD) headed by Regional Director Elfren Meneses Jr. raided an alleged gambling den disguised as an amusement center in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.
NBI investigation showed that the Quezon City establishment, which yielded 71 expensive slot machines, was also owned by a Korean.
The seized slot machines were estimated to be worth over P21 million. In addition, they were said to be “so advanced” that the Pagcor’s own machines paled in comparison.
Before raiding the Internet cafe at the corner of Julio Nakpil and J. Bacobo Streets in Malate, NBI agents applied for a search warrant.
Special Investigator Roel Jovenir of the NBI AFCCD said the increasing number of Koreans operating online casinos and gambling dens “may have something to do with their refusal to pay business taxes in the country.”
Jovenir also noted that the Internet cafe discouraged non-Koreans from entering the establishment by imposing a P100 per hour fee for its services.
“Customers normally pay P15 per hour to surf the Internet so they end up avoiding Fast Ball,” he added.
The NBI investigator likewise said that the online games at the Internet cafe could also be popular in Korea.
Apart from the 23 computer units, the NBI agents also seized 17 office chairs and 350 prepaid cards allegedly used to access the online games.
“The cafe’s customers pay for the Internet cards with US dollars or Korean won, again discouraging local residents from patronizing the establishment,” Jovenir said.
The NBI agents invited for questioning four Koreans believed to be involved in the establishment’s operations.
“But we have yet to identify the actual owners and operators of Fast Ball,” Jovenir said.
The suspects face charges for violating Republic Act 9887 or An Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Games.