Philippine President Marcos shuts down all POGOs
The president of the Republic of the Philippines has declared that as of right now, no new Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) or Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) can be established.
The current operators of POGO have until the end of the year to shut down their businesses. This action, though expected, was taken during his State of the Nation Address in Manila on Monday, following a strong urge from a Senate probe into illegal activities associated with POGOs.
Marcos said:
“Effective today, all POGOs are banned. I hereby instruct [gaming regulator] PAGCOR to wind down and cease the operations of POGOs by the end of the year.”
The closure of POGOs was decided after several operations that do not have online gambling licenses in Pampanga and Tarlac were raided last week, purportedly because of cases of illegal human abductions and fraud at those locales.
The Department of Finance (DOF) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) have thrown their weight behind the full proscription proposition made by several Senators.
However, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco has maintained that the optimal way to manage illegal POGO operations is through enhanced regulation rather than an outright ban. Last year, PAGCOR required all existing licensees to undergo a comprehensive relicensing process, reducing the number of licensed IGLs from 298 to 43.
The ban was issued shortly after a new task force by the name of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was formed to monitor and dispel vigor pack (Passionate Online Something) outlaws.