A Filipino fugitive and casino junket operator has been arrested in Indonesia. He is accused of scamming over $67 million from clients in the Philippines.
Authorities on Indonesia’s tourist island of Bali have confirmed the arrest of a Philippine fugitive. Hector Aldwin Pantollana, 35, was arrested on November 9th when an automatic gate at immigration in I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport identified him as a wanted fugitive.
Saffar M. Godam, the acting Director General of immigration at Indonesia’s Immigration and Correctional Ministry, confirmed the arrest. Godam said the fugitive first entered the country in October and that Indonesian authorities brought the suspect to Jakarta, the country’s capital, for further investigation. Indonesia will deport Pantollana to the Philippines on Wednesday to face prosecution.
Pantollana has allegedly collected over 4 billion Philippine pesos ($67.7 million) from thousands of people for fake investments.
What Is A Casino Junket?
A casino junket is a specially organized trip or package a casino offers to attract high-rolling gamblers or VIP players. These junkets typically include various perks, such as complimentary travel, luxury accommodations, meals, and exclusive gaming opportunities, to incentivize the guests to gamble at the hosting casino.
Junket operators or agencies often act as intermediaries, arranging these trips and sometimes even providing credit to players. In return, the casino benefits from the guests’ gambling activity, which is expected to generate significant revenue. This practice is widespread in large gambling hubs like Macau and Las Vegas.
Online Casino Perks
Just like their domestic counterparts, legal online gambling sites that operate in the Philippines also offer player perks. While the perks usually don’t include free drinks while on the casino floor, there are plenty of incentives online players can use to their advantage.
One of the most popular online casino perks is the welcome bonus and reload bonus options. To attract players, online gambling sites often offer deposit rewards that are sometimes tied to specific sportsbooks and casino banking methods. We generally find increased bonus rewards for crypto depositors. However, there are also plenty of bonus options for traditional banking methods.
Are Online Casinos Legal In The Philippines?
Yes, both domestic and offshore casinos are allowed to accept online players from the Philippines. Online casinos have been accepting players since the early 2000s, and many players often play offshore sites to take advantage of the incentives offered.
Offshore casino sites also host more gameplay options than other online casinos nationwide. With the online casinos we recommend, you will find multiple variations of blackjack, roulette, and video poker games alongside classic slots, specialty games, and more. You can access live dealer casino games with a secure internet connection and a video/audio feed.