Criminal Investigation and Detection Group operatives raided a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in Subic, Zambales on Sept. 4, 20241. The raid was reported by the Philippine News Agency alongside a Senate commitment to speed up legislation supporting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s declaration to totally ban POGOs in the country1.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Sept. 12, 2024 that senators, including Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, have agreed to hasten the passage of the bill1. The Senate Committee on Ways and Means is looking into consolidating Cayetano's Senate Bill Nos. 63, SBNs 1281 and 2752 filed by Villanueva, and SBN 2689 filed by Gatchalian1. Cayetano and Villanueva are pushing for the prohibition of all forms of online gambling, while Gatchalian wants to repeal Republic Act No. 11590, or An Act Taxing POGOs1.
"Hopefully, in the next two weeks. Simpleng bill lang naman to (This is just a simple bill)"
The committee also discussed "e-gaming," which allows online bets exclusively from local clients1. Gatchalian said the committee is considering the revenues the national government earns from e-gaming, citing PHP22 billion from PAGCOR and almost PHP12 billion from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, compared with PHP6 billion and PHP2 billion respectively three years ago1. He said the committee has seen weaknesses in regulation, particularly how easy it is to open an e-gaming account, and that anybody, even minors, can open one using a fake name and age1.
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission Director Undersecretary Gilberto Cruz said an executive order banning all POGOs is set to be issued by President Marcos in two weeks1. PAGCOR Chairperson and CEO Alejandro Tengco told the committee that internet gaming licensees will also be covered by the executive order1. Tengco said Special class BPOs do not accept bets but only provide services to gaming companies outside the country1.
"They do not accept any form of bets. The main thing that they do is serve as backroom operations of legitimate and big gaming companies based all over the world"
What it means for players
The raid and the legislative push sit within the Philippines' ban on offshore gaming, which targets operators serving customers abroad. E-gaming, which takes bets from local clients, remains a separate question before the committee, and no decision to ban it has been reported1. For anyone gambling in the Philippines, the Senate hearing flagged that e-gaming accounts can be opened with a fake name and age, a weakness Gatchalian said could also enable money laundering1. General guidance on gambling scams and safety in Asia covers how to check whether a site is legitimate and how to report problems. The status of ordinary licensed gambling for residents and visitors is unchanged in what has been reported1.
What happens next
The Senate aims to pass the consolidated bill within two weeks of Sept. 12, 20241. An executive order banning all POGOs is set to be issued by President Marcos in two weeks, according to the PAOCC1. Members of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement are set to visit three Special class BPOs to better understand their operations1.
