On January 1 this year, the Philippines implemented a ban on offshore gaming operations known as POGOs. Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr introduced the ban to cut down on organized crime groups that operated scams from the gambling centers, choosing to sacrifice the tax revenue these venues generated for the country.
all licenses previously issued for POGO operations are to be canceled
Finally, ten months after the fact, that ban has passed into Philippines law, cementing the country’s position against the gambling centers. The new Republic Act 12312 repeals RA 11590 that previously legalized the operations. It also means that all licenses previously issued for POGO operations are to be canceled.
The law says: “The State recognizes that the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are paramount for the meaningful enjoyment of democracy.” It adds that the state also “values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.”
POGO workers will also have their visas and work permits revoked, as per the law. They will be deported back to their country of citizenship.
Punishments for those found to contravene the ban are severe. Anyone breaching it faces up to eight years in prison and a fine of up to $255,275. This increases to ten years and $510,550 for the second offense, and 12 years and $850,920 for the third.
In February, Philippine gambling operator PAGCOR had to deny rumors that POGOs were due to relaunch after Marcos’ ban. It claimed that “unscrupulous parties” were responsible for the rumors, as they were trying to get investors to give them money to secure POGO licenses.
