Game Over: Marcos Bans POGOs in Surprise SONA Move
PAGCOR has been directed to shut down all POGO facilities by end 2024.
(SPOT.ph) President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has officially banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.
He made the statement during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, calling the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to shut down all POGO facilities by the end of 2024.
"Effective today, all POGOs are banned. I hereby instruct PAGCOR to wind down and cease the operation of POGOs by the end of the year,” Marcos said, receiving a round of applause and a standing ovation from the audience. “The grave abuse and disrespect to our system and laws must stop. Kailangan na itigil ang panggulo nito sa ating lipunan at pag lalapastangan sa ating bansa.”
Marcos also directed the Department of Labor and Employment to find new job opportunities for those who will be displaced by the POGO ban.
Marcos bans POGO in the Philippines
This move is a sharp departure from the policies of former President Rodrigo Duterte who embraced POGOs as a significant source of revenue for the country. Under Duterte, the industry was welcomed with tax regulations, bringing in substantial income to the Philippine economy.
However, the dark side of POGOs became increasingly hard to ignore. A significant catalyst for this decision were the findings that resulted from the Senate hearings for Mayor Alice Guo, whose fake identity and links to POGOs in Bamban, Tarlac have put the P64.6-billion industry under the microscope in recent weeks.
Further investigations have uncovered a wide range of criminal activities, including human trafficking and tax evasion.
What's the big deal with POGOs?
POGOs are online gambling companies based in the Philippines that mostly cater to international players, especially from China. These POGOs get licenses from PAGCOR and earn money through flashy online casinos and thrilling sports betting.
POGOs gave the government a steady cash flow from licensing fees, taxes, and office rentals. Filipinos have also landed gigs in IT, customer service, and admin roles. The wave of foreign workers, mostly from China, has also given a big boost to real estate, retail, and hospitality.
To put it in perspective, POGOs have been such a cash cow for the government that they were raking in billions in revenue in 2020.
"Ang tanging ano ko lang diyan is the money. Sayang eh, makatulong sa bayan. Kagaya ngayon itong mga ganito. So P2 billion, answered kaagad. So we have the money," Duterte said in 2020.
Also read: Manila POGO Club: A Night Inside Makati's Chinese Superclub