The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has announced its determination to completely shut down all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country by the end of December 2023.
Pagcor has issued warnings to POGOs attempting to evade the ban and is committed to enforcing the shutdown after reports that some operators are attempting to operate covertly, adopting a “guerilla-style” strategy to circumvent the impending ban.
POGOs, which are primarily online gambling firms servicing customers outside the country, has been under scrutiny in recent years.
Executive Order No. 74, signed recently, extends the ban to illegal offshore gaming operations, ensuring that all POGOs must wind down by December 15 and cease operations entirely by December 31.
Pagcor spokesperson, Andrea Domingo, highlighted the agency’s commitment to clamping down on illegal operations.
She stated that the transition period leading up to the December deadline involves strict enforcement measures to prevent rogue operations.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, a vocal critic of POGOs, has introduced a bill proposing a permanent ban on offshore gaming operations in the Philippines.
He emphasizes the need for a legal framework to prevent similar issues in the future. The proposed legislation aims to institutionalize the ban and provide a clear legal stance against such operations.