Marcos allays concerns on ‘loopholes’ in EO banning POGOs

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday allayed concerns about the supposed loopholes in his Executive Order No. 74, banning the use of Philippine Offshore Gaming, internet gaming, and other offshore gaming operations in the country.

This, as Senator Risa Hontiveros said two unclear provisions in the EO need to be addressed, including whether casinos and resorts with casinos are exempt from operating POGOs.

Marcos stressed that these could not operate since it is the nature of the operation that the government is prohibiting. 

“They cannot. There’s just no way because it’s the nature of the operation that we are banning,” Marcos told reporters. 

“Basta’t POGO yan, basta’t ganyan ang operasyon nila, they’re banned,” he added. 

He said the POGO ban was implemented ''not because it’s under PAGCOR or not.''

When asked if a law is needed besides the EO, Marcos said that his latest issuance is sufficient to ban POGOs.

Hontiveros earlier said the “gaps” in the EO could be addressed during the interpellation and amendment of the proposed Anti-POGO Act of 2024.

In his State of the Nation Address in July 2024, Marcos banned all POGOs in the country, saying these had ventured into illicit activities such as scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and murder.

Executive Order No. 74 states that the ban on POGOs and internet gaming licenses shall encompass illegal offshore gaming operations, license applications, license renewals, and cessation of operations. —LDF, GMA Integrated News