The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), responsible for regulating the gaming sector in the Philippines, has once again issued an important warning to the region’s gaming population. This time, the warning is about a fraudulent scheme that is improperly using the name of Lucky 7 Bingo Corporation, a company that, although licensed to operate physical E-Games halls, is being falsely associated with an alleged illegal online lottery.
Fraudulent lottery using Lucky 7 name
According to PAGCOR investigations, the scammers are offering victims the chance to participate in a platform called “Lucky 7 Bet Lottery”. The proposal promises financial returns of up to PHP 50,000 (around R$ 4,500) in exchange for an initial deposit of PHP 3,000 (approximately R$ 270). The offer is accompanied by documents that, at first glance, appear official — but are completely fake.
Lawyer Jessa Fernandez, who leads PAGCOR’s Offshore Gaming and Licensing Department, made it clear that Lucky 7 Bingo Corporation does not have authorisation to operate online or offshore betting platforms. “These agreements circulating out there are 100% fraudulent. The company does have a valid licence, yes, but only to operate physical, electronic gaming halls. Any other activity attributed to it has no legal backing,” said Fernandez in an official statement.
Philippines cracks down on offshore gaming
It is worth noting that PAGCOR has not issued any offshore gaming licence since 31 December 2024. This decision was taken after the Philippine government chose to permanently shut down the so-called POGOs — Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators — which had been the subject of complaints involving human trafficking, money laundering, and other illegal activities.
The closure of this segment was a significant step for the country, which had been facing internal and external pressure due to the proliferation of such operations. Although the gaming sector represents a substantial source of revenue for the government — it is estimated that the industry generated over PHP 350 billion in 2024 — the authorities decided to act in light of the numerous scandals involving unscrupulous companies.
In the specific case of the Lucky 7 fraud, the scam follows a fairly common structure: criminals use a real company as a front, fabricate fake documents, and offer unrealistic financial returns while demanding an “initial investment.” This type of approach has become increasingly frequent, especially with the use of social media and messaging apps to spread fake advertisements.
Public urged to report scams
PAGCOR has already issued several statements asking the public to be wary of offers involving easy money, particularly when an advance payment is required. It has also warned of the rise in fake websites posing as official pages of the institution or of licensed operators.
In addition, the entity is encouraging victims to report any suspicious activity, whether by email or telephone, through official channels. “The best way to combat this type of scam is with information. We urge people to always verify the authenticity of licences, to be sceptical of exaggerated promises, and to never make deposits before consulting PAGCOR,” Fernandez stressed.
Lucky 7 Bingo Corporation has also spoken out, stating that it has no connection whatsoever with the “Lucky 7 Bet Lottery” platform and that it will take appropriate legal action against those responsible for the unauthorised use of its brand.
With the increase in fraud involving the gaming sector, PAGCOR’s role is becoming more essential than ever. The organisation is also investing in educational campaigns to warn the public about the risks of illegal betting, especially through unauthorised online channels.
This article was first published in Portuguese on 20 May 2025.
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