Marcos bans Philippine offshore gaming operators
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced an immediate ban on all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
During his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos explained that this decision comes in response to the industry’s involvement in various criminal activities, including scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and murder.
“The grave abuse and disrespect to our system and laws must stop. Kailangan na itigil ang panggugulo nito sa ating lipunan at paglapastangan sa ating bansa (We need to end this scourge on our society and abuse in our country),” Marcos added.
Winding down operations
Marcos instructed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to wind down and cease all operations by the end of the year.
This directive follows a series of high-profile raids that uncovered equipment used for torture and other criminal activities linked to POGOs.
“I hereby instruct PAGCOR to wind down and cease all operations of POGOs by the end of the year,” Marcos stated, adding that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has been tasked with finding new employment opportunities for the estimated 23,000 Filipinos who will be displaced by the ban.
Recent incidents highlighting POGO-related issues
The ban comes amid a series of recent incidents that have further exposed the illicit activities associated with POGOs. This includes:
- Witness testimonies: Four Filipino witnesses have emerged to testify against a raided POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac, which was involved in scamming and human trafficking. The witnesses revealed that they were detained and not allowed to leave the premises freely, with their time outside being deducted from their pay.
- NBI Raid in Mindoro: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently raided a suspected POGO hub at a resort in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. The raid resulted in the arrest of the resort owner, a Chinese national, and the discovery of gambling equipment and paraphernalia.
- PNP Task Force: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed a special task force to dismantle unlicensed POGO hubs. This task force aims to address the growing problem of illegal POGO operations, which have been linked to human trafficking, torture, and other crimes. Recent raids in Bamban, Tarlac, and Porac, Pampanga, have led to the rescue of thousands of victims and the arrest of numerous suspects.
Addressing employment concerns for displaced workers
The ban on POGOs has been met with widespread approval from lawmakers and the public. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, a vocal critic of POGOs, praised the decision, noting that it addresses serious crimes associated with the industry.
The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) had previously recommended a ban, citing that the social costs of POGOs outweighed their economic benefits. Their research indicated that curtailing POGO operations would have a limited effect on the property sector and the financial system, with credit institutions’ exposure to the online gaming industry reduced.
Both DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco expressed concerns about the impact on workers but affirmed their commitment to implementing the President’s directive.
Laguesma assured that DOLE would draft plans to alleviate the situation for affected workers, while Tengco committed to ensuring no internet gaming licenses would be operational by 2025.
