The Chinese Embassy in Manila said on October 11, 2023 that joint law enforcement work by China and the Philippines had shut down three Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) parks and led to the repatriation of some 400 Chinese nationals. The embassy also called on Manila to take stronger action against crimes tied to POGOs.
The statement said Beijing treats all forms of gambling, whether online or overseas, as illegal for Chinese nationals. It said cooperation had uncovered Chinese nationals involved in illegal activities, and that some illegal offshore gaming employees abused Philippine judicial procedures by fabricating cases in the Philippines to avoid repatriation.
"China calls on the Philippines to take strong measures to crack down on crimes related to POGOs and root out the social ills in a sweeping manner"
The embassy said crimes induced by online gambling harm China's interests, China-Philippines relations and the interests of the Philippines. It said it would keep strengthening communication and cooperation with the Philippine government and law enforcement agencies, including on repatriation and related issues, and that agencies from both sides expressed satisfaction with the results of the cooperation.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| POGO parks shut down | 3 |
| Chinese nationals repatriated | about 400 |
The embassy did not name the three parks, say where they were located, or give a date for the shutdowns and repatriations. Those details have not been reported.
What it means for players
The statement concerns Chinese nationals. Beijing's position, restated here, is that gambling online or overseas is illegal for Chinese citizens, so Chinese nationals working in or using POGO operations in the Philippines fall within that prohibition regardless of where the site or venue sits. The embassy's account of employees fabricating cases to block repatriation indicates that Philippine legal processes have been used to delay removal, and that both governments are now treating that route as part of the enforcement problem.
For other groups, the statement changes nothing directly. It does not announce new rules for Filipino players, for other foreign nationals, or for visitors, and it does not name any operator, site or venue. The practical effect reported is confined to the three closed parks and the roughly 400 people returned to China. Details on how the closures were carried out, whether any charges were filed, and what happened to the parks' other workers have not been reported.
What happens next
The embassy said it will continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with the Philippine government and law enforcement agencies and jointly handle repatriation and other related issues. No further dates, targets or named operations were given.
For background on the sector and its regulation, see The Philippines' Ban on Offshore Gaming (POGOs) and Can I Gamble in the Philippines?. On the risks attached to illegal operations and how to report them, see Gambling Scams and Safety in Asia. On the rules that apply to Chinese nationals, see Can I Gamble in China?.
