Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez filed House Resolution 1197 in August 2023 urging the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to ban Philippine offshore gaming operators, or POGOs1. The resolution is one of several measures filed at the House of Representatives targeting a halt to POGO operations, and it remains pending before the House games and amusements committee1.
In the resolution, Rodriguez cited the proliferation of POGO-related crimes such as kidnappings, reports of illegal detainment, human trafficking and prostitution1. He also argued that "the country should not sacrifice the welfare and safety of its citizens for revenue" and that "these POGOs do not contribute anything else to the Philippines and they only operate here because they are banned in their own countries"1.
Rodriguez's filing was not the first attempt to outlaw the industry. As early as September 2022, Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. filed a bill seeking to ban and declare POGOs illegal in the country, describing them as a "social menace that dissipates the energy and resources of the people"1. In June 2024, Makabayan bloc lawmakers filed a bill seeking to ban and criminalize POGOs, ordering government agencies to stop issuing work permits to anyone engaged in POGOs and seeking to categorize POGO employment as a human trafficking offense1. Both measures are pending before the House games and amusements committee1.
The legislative push gained momentum after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his third State of the Nation Address, ordered Pagcor to "wind down and 'cease' the operations of POGOs by the end of the year"1. House Speaker Martin Romualdez then instructed House leaders and top secretariat officials to introduce a measure enabling that ban1.
"This, however, will not stop the ongoing House investigation on the criminal and other illegal activities linked to POGO."
Romualdez said he had met with House leaders and secretariat officials who told him measures targeting POGO operations were already filed, and he asked all concerned committee chairs to give the issue priority1. He said he wants the enabling law to cover "all bases" of a total ban, adding: "Gusto naming maging legacy ito ng Pangulong Marcos Jr." (We want this to be the legacy of President Marcos Jr.)1. Romualdez had initially not favored a total ban on POGOs1.
What it means for players
POGOs are offshore operators that serve customers outside the Philippines rather than domestic bettors, so the measures described here target the licensing and employment side of the industry rather than retail gambling venues that locals and visitors use. The status of POGO operations in the Philippines is set out in the guide to the Philippines' ban on offshore gaming, and the regulator that issues POGO licenses is covered in gambling regulators and licenses in Asia. For what is legal for individuals in the country, see Can I gamble in the Philippines?.
What happens next
Marcos ordered Pagcor to wind down and cease POGO operations by the end of the year, meaning December 20241. Romualdez asked the House Committee on Public Order and Security to submit its comprehensive report and recommendations to the Committee on Games and Amusement as soon as possible, and said he expects the games and amusement panel to produce a committee report soon for plenary deliberation1. The House investigation into criminal and other illegal activities linked to POGOs will continue despite the ban1. No date has been reported for when the enabling measure will be taken up.
