PAGCOR: Zero POGOs in PH by end of December

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) announced on  Tuesday that there would be no Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGOs operating in the country by the end of 2023.

PAGCOR  Chairperson Alejandro Tengco stated that the corporation began shutting down POGOs involved in illegal activities shortly after he assumed office in 2022.

Initially, 298 online gambling hubs were operating in the country. PAGCOR streamlined this number to 48, even before the complete ban on POGO operations.

"From 48, as of November 30, we're down to about 13 and by December 15... it will be zero," said Tengco in a Stratbase ADR  Institute forum.

He further clarified that by January 1, 2025, any POGOs still functioning—including those in the provinces—would be deemed illegal due to the cancellation of their licenses.

Following the cancellations, Tengco emphasized that implementation would fall to law enforcement agencies, as PAGCOR lacks police power.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. banned all POGOs in July after several operators were implicated in crimes such as human trafficking, illegal detention, and financial scams.

In September, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that around 40,000 Filipino workers would be displaced by the ban.

The Bureau of  Immigration (BI) had set an October 15 deadline for foreign workers previously employed by POGOs to downgrade their visas or face deportation. Over 21,000 foreign workers applied for visa downgrades.

Earlier this month, Marcos signed Executive Order No. 74, which extends the ban to include illegal offshore gaming operations, new license applications, license renewals, and any ongoing operations.

An inter-agency task force comprising the BI,  Department of Justice, DOLE, and other agencies was also established. The task force would oversee the closure of POGOs and assist affected workers. — DVM, GMA Integrated News