MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stood firm on his stance to kick out Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) from the country.
Following his meeting with the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PAOCC) in Malacañang last Wednesday, Marcos announced that all licenses of POGOs and Internet Gaming Licensees (IGL) nationwide were cancelled.
“They will no longer be allowed to wreak havoc. Whoever attempts to operate illegally will deal with the full force of the law,” he posted in Filipino on his official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
The chief executive in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July ordered the total ban on POGOs, noting the negative effects gambling has such as a spike in crime rates, social instability, and exploitation of vulnerable people as the reason for the issuance of the order. These, he argued, far outweigh the economic and social benefits the gaming industry contributes.
Last month, Marcos issued Executive Order 74 formalizing the ban on POGOs, Internet Gaming, and other Offshore Gaming Operations. It likewise encompasses illegal offshore gaming operations, license applications, license renewals, and cessation of operations in the country.
Meanwhile, Pagcor Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro Tengco noted all remaining POGO licenses would be revoked by Dec. 15. Also, there will be no more renewal of permits for the subsequent years.
Since July, Pagcor has trimmed the number of offshore gaming operators and service providers in the country to about 60. This is from the more than 300 POGOs and IGLs that were issued with licenses prior to the announcement of the ban.
The DILG vowed it would run down all underground gaming operators and has directed all local chief executives to submit a report regarding any suspicious activities within their localities, including the possible movement or setup of POGO.
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