The Games and Amusement Board has issued a show-cause order to esports organizer Mineski Philippines.
According to the Board’s esports focal person Cynthia Cañezal, the Mineski Events Team continuously held different esports tournaments dating back to July last year without securing the necessary permits and licenses from the agency.
Cañezal also bared that GAB tried to reach out to the organization multiple times prior to the issuance of the show cause order, but to no avail. The show-cause order was filed on April 20, 2021, and was received by Mineski on May 18.
“These promoters from Mineski and Pillar Digital E-commerce since July last year, nagpapa-tournament na po sila nang walang permit and licenses from GAB. When we say professional tournaments, the players involved the players who are participating are GAB licensees and they are competing for money or the prize pool,” said Cañezal.
“So, despite sa aming mga sulat sa kanila, hindi pa rin po sila nag co-comply so nung May 18, na-receive na po nila yung show cause order issued by GAB legal office.”
Mineski has organized the Valorant Pacific Open Philippine Qualifiers, the Mineski VxV (Valorant), the Valorant First Strike: Philippines, Rainbow Six Operation League, and the Mineski Cups (LoL: Wild Rift), to name a few, over the past year.
If the organization decides to ignore the order, Mineski is at risk of losing their GAB license and their privilege to hold esports events.
“Dalawa lang naman po ito, it’s either mawalan ng lisensya ang ating mga promoters because they are GAB licensed so hindi na po sila makakapagpromote ng tournaments. But, of course, it’s up to the legal office kung anong magiging desiyon ng GAB legal tungkol dito sa Mineski and Pillar Digital E-commerce,” said Cañezal.
For this part, Mineski has already responded to the claims and has assured that they will cooperate with the Board to fix the issue.
“Mineski Philippines assures all its stakeholders that we have made all efforts to be compliant with GAB’s rules and regulations,” said Mineski country manager Mark Navarro.
“Like many businesses struggling to conduct operations despite the pandemic and the quarantine restrictions imposed by the government, Mineski has responded in a timely manner to the show-cause order and is awaiting GAB’s response. The company will continue to cooperate with GAB to resolve the issue.”
