AMLC Considers Deploying Personnel in Casinos Amid Money Laundering Concerns

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is exploring the possibility of assigning personnel directly in casinos to strengthen oversight after allegations surfaced about dismissed public works officials reportedly laundering billions of pesos through casino transactions.

During a Senate budget briefing on September 15, AMLC Executive Director Matthew David acknowledged that the council currently does not have representatives stationed in casinos. Under existing regulations, the AMLC is not mandated to deploy staff at gambling establishments tasked with monitoring suspicious activities. However, David noted that the agency is evaluating suggestions from senators to improve its tracking capabilities.

Presently, casinos are obligated to report all transactions exceeding ₱5 million under the nation’s anti-money laundering framework. Despite this, David admitted the AMLC struggles to scrutinize every report due to the overwhelming number of submissions.

Concerns about casino reporting arose after Senator Ping Lacson revealed that three former public works officials connected to dubious flood control projects reportedly lost ₱950 million in casino gaming between 2023 and 2025. These officials allegedly laundered funds by converting public money into casino chips and later cashing out disguised as gambling proceeds.

The implicated individuals—former district engineers Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez, assistant engineer Japee Mendoza, and project engineer Arjay Domasig—have been dismissed and face criminal charges. They were reportedly nicknamed the "BGC Boys" by casino staff.

Senator Erwin Tulfo, chair of the Senate Games and Amusements Committee, criticized casino compliance officers for failing to report suspicious transactions to the AMLC, suggesting possible collusion with the suspects.

Gambling operators are required to perform Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures before allowing clients to make their first withdrawal. These measures include verifying identities and assessing risk levels.

David emphasized, "The casino and its designated compliance officers are responsible for monitoring player transactions by conducting appropriate due diligence, whether enhanced or standard customer due diligence."

The AMLC is also seeking to restore its budget from ₱170 million back to ₱333.1 million for 2026. David argued that boosting funding would enable the agency to better analyze and process transaction reports, enhancing its overall effectiveness in combating money laundering.