The House of Representatives and the Senate have both passed landmark measures banning Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs), marking a significant shift in national policy aimed at curbing criminality and protecting public welfare.
On Monday, 10 June, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 2868, also known as the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, on third and final reading. A day later, on Tuesday, 11 June, the House of Representatives followed suit with House Bill No. 10987, or the proposed Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations Act.
The twin measures seek to institutionalize the nationwide prohibition of all offshore gaming activities. Once enacted into law, the bill will repeal Republic Act No. 11590, which previously allowed POGOs to legally operate under government regulation.
The bills mandate the revocation of all existing licenses and franchises issued by regulatory agencies such as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO), and the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB).
Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian, the principal author of the Senate version and chairperson of the Committee on Ways and Means, emphasized that the measure was a response to growing public concern.
“This isn’t just a law — it’s the people’s demand to end the POGO menace,” Gatchalian said. He underscored that the social costs and criminal risks associated with POGO operations far outweighed any perceived economic benefits.
Under the bills, any person or entity involved in offshore gaming, including agents and service providers, will face penalties, and all related properties and equipment will be forfeited to the government to prevent their reuse in illegal activities.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez echoed the urgency behind the House’s move, stating that the legislation reinforces President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ban POGOs permanently.
The passage of the Anti-POGO bills in both chambers reflects a unified legislative stance on the issue, paving the way for final harmonization and transmission to the Office of the President for signature into law.