ALL Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) must stop operations by today, Dec. 16, following the cancellation of their licenses on Sunday, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said.
PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz said the agency would continue monitoring the POGOs along with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the licenses of the other POGOs would be revoked by Dec. 15.
Cruz said that by Pagcor’s count, about 20 POGOs were still operating.
By January, POGOs, internet gambling licensees (IGLs), and even business process outsourcing firms who consider themselves as IGLs will be outlawed, he said.
In his State of the Nation Address in July, Marcos declared the banning of POGOs after some were implicated in crimes, including human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and money scams.
In November, Marcos issued Executive Order 74 which banned POGOs and internet gaming licenses shall encompass illegal offshore gaming operations, license applications, license renewals, and cessation of operations.
Cruz said the PAOCC would start inspecting POGOs that have supposedly shut down to confirm they had complied with the presidential order.
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