POGO licenses revoked by 15 December — PAGCOR

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) announced Wednesday it will revoke all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) licenses by 15 December.

During a press briefing at Malacañang, Pagcor chairman Alejandro Tengco said POGO operators were cooperating with the government in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to shut down POGO operations by year-end. “They are slowly complying and requesting the cancellation of their licenses,” he said.

Tengco said POGO operators were also working with the Bureau of Immigration to downgrade their visas to tourist status. He assured that by 1 January 2025, the Philippines will be POGO-free, including from Internet Gaming License (IGL) operations.

“By 31 December 2024, Pagcor will have canceled all licenses,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is cracking down on illegal small-scale POGO operations set up by former workers outside Metro Manila.

PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz said these operations could be run from hotel rooms, apartments, and other small spaces, relying solely on internet access.

The PAOCC is coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Pagcor, and local government units in going after the small operators.

Meanwhile, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said local chief executives will be required to report suspicious activities, such as sudden spikes in internet usage or the presence of unregistered foreign workers in their areas.

Regarding the economic impact of the POGO closures, this is expected to result in a loss of P20 to P25 billion in revenue, but Remulla said this will not significantly affect the overall economy.

“According to NEDA, this will impact only 0.25 percent of the total GDP. We don’t see a significant dent,” he said, adding that other revenue measures from the Department of Finance will help offset the loss.

The DILG is also investigating allegations local chief executives are protecting illegal POGO operations.

Remulla revealed that 28 local executives suspected of ties to POGOs are being investigated by the PAOCC.

On 15 December, Remulla will lead in the closure of the POGO hub in Island Cove, Kawit, Cavite, which was previously owned by the Remulla family before it was sold in 2018.