Escudero calls for review of local online gambling

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero has called for a review of Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGOs), expressing concerns over their impact on Filipinos following the ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

“Ang POGO, mga dayuhan ang nagsusugal diyan, dayuhan ang nasisira ang pamilya, nalululong sa sugal, nawawalan ng pera dahil sa sugal. Pinagbawal natin, pero pinayagan natin ‘yung PIGO—Philippine Inland Gaming Operations—kung saan ang nagsusugal ay Pilipino, hindi dayuhan,” Escudero said in a Monday statement.

(POGOs involved foreign gamblers—foreigners lost money, became addicted, and had their families affected. We banned them. But we allowed PIGOs, where Filipinos—not foreigners—are the ones gambling.)

He warned that while POGOs have been shut down, some may have simply rebranded as PIGOs to continue operations.

“Ang nawawalan at nauubusan ng pera ay Pilipino at hindi dayuhan, at malamang sa malamang ‘yung mga dating POGO ay nagtatago sa likod ng PIGO,” he added.

(The ones losing money now are Filipinos, not foreigners. Former POGO operations are likely hiding behind PIGOs.)

Escudero noted that PIGO operations have largely escaped scrutiny, despite the controversies surrounding POGOs. He argued that the same issues raised against offshore gambling could also apply to local online gambling, warranting equal or greater concern.

"Marahil dapat ay tignan at review-hin din ito dahil ‘yung mga sinusubukan nating iwasang masasamang bagay, pagkakamali, pagkukulang ay tila nand’yan din sa PIGO na ang tatamaan pa ay sarili natin mismong kababayan at hindi mga dayuhan lamang,” he said.

(We need to review this because the very problems we tried to avoid—abuses, loopholes, and harmful consequences—also exist in PIGOs. The difference is, now, it affects our countrymen.)

Escudero urged the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to conduct a thorough and transparent review of PIGOs to assess their true costs and benefits.

"Magkano nga ba nakukuha natin dito? And like the questions we ask in relation with POGO, is it worth it?" he questioned.

(How much revenue are we really making?)

If evidence shows that PIGOs are harming Filipinos, particularly those with low incomes, Escudero believes the government should consider a ban similar to POGOs.

“Alam ko malaking pera ang nakukuha ng PAGCOR dito. Malaking source of revenue ito at income sa parte ng pamahalaan, pero kung natatalikuran nga nila ‘yung malaking revenue at income din sa POGO, walang rason para hindi nila kayang talikuran din ‘yung malaking income sa PIGO kung nakakasama na talaga na ito sa ating mga kababayan na sa palagay ko ay oo,” he said.

(I understand that PAGCOR generates significant revenue from PIGOs. But if they could give up the large income from POGOs due to their negative effects, there’s no reason they can’t do the same with PIGOs if they’re proving harmful to our people.) 

Former President Rodrigo Duterte previously ordered the closure of e-sabong (online cockfighting) after several individuals involved in the industry went missing.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. later banned POGOs due to their links to crimes such as human trafficking, illegal detention, and financial scams.

At least two Senate bills have been filed seeking a total ban on online gambling. — DVM, GMA Integrated News