PAGCOR POGO Hub Covelandia[1] is an online gambling complex hosted in Island Cove and Animal Island in Kawit, Cavite, Philippines.
| Physical features | |
|---|---|
| Divisions | Island Cove, Animal Island |
| Location | |
.svg)  Location in Luzon .svg) Location in the Philippines | |
| Coordinates: 14°27′40″N 120°55′24″E / 14.46117°N 120.92321°E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Province | Cavite |
| Municipality | Kawit |
It formerly hosted a resort and leisure park owned by the Remulla political family. It now hosts a hub for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Island Cove used to be known as Pulo ni Burunggoy (transl. Burunggoy's Island)[2]
History
edit
The two islands which now host a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Kawit, Cavite used to be a property owned by the Remulla political family. It hosted a resort and leisure complex twice; the first being Covelandia Island Resort which operated in the 1970s to the 1980s,[3] and the second being Island Cove Resort and Leisure Park which was operational from 1998 to 2018.[4] The resort also had zoos and a crocodile farm.[5]
In 2018, the property was acquired from the Remullas by a group of Filipino Chinese businessmen.[6] The resort ceased operations on July 28.[4]
The islands would then be developed into an online gambling hub under Oriental Game Ltd.[7][8]
The hub was noted for employing Chinese migrant workers which raised security concerns due to its proximity to the Danilo Atienza Air Base in the context of the South China Sea dispute. However the Chinese government has stated that gambling in China is illegal including services provided from outside China including by POGOs.[9]
In 2023, the POGO industry and by extension the hub has been subject of a Senate inquiry.[10] Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation states it has found no illegal activities occurring within the hub's premises.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Mga residente sa Cavite, nababahala dahil sa pagdagsa ng mga dayuhan sa itatayong POGO hub" [Cavite residents worried about the influx of foreigners due to planned POGO hub]. RMN Networks (in Filipino). July 16, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Nadal, Nana (May 2, 2018). "Island Cove Hotel marks 20 years of recreational service". The Manila Times. Retrieved May 28, 2024.(subscription required)
- ^ De Barras, Jeahan Virda (October 18, 2014). "A landmark hotel and leisure park in Cavite". BusinessMirror. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ a b "Island Cove resort shuts down after 20 years". GMA News. June 29, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "Island Cove opens wildlife sanctuary | Philstar.com". The Philippine Star. May 16, 2004. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Santos, Tina (2022). "Remulla tells NBI to stop 'operating' vs Pogos, cites extortion reports". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "Kawit, Cavite proposes another POGO hub". Manila Standard. September 14, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Venzon, Cliff (April 28, 2023). "Philippine online casinos: Continue playing or game over?". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Mangosing, Frances (August 16, 2019). "Chinese casinos near PH military camps worry DND". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Torregaza, Hannah (May 30, 2023). "Senators score PAGCOR for 'being corrupt' over alleged human trafficking cover-up". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Domingo, Ronnel (August 4, 2023). "Pagcor clamps down on Pogos". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 5, 2024.