All Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) are banned effective today, July 22, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Disguising as legitimate entities, Marcos Jr. lamented that POGO operations have ventured into illicit activities such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, and murder.
“The grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop. Kailangan nang itigil ang panggulo nito sa ating lipunan at paglalapastangan sa ating bansa. Effective today, all POGOs are banned,” he said.
The President ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to “wind down and cease” the operations of POGOs by the end of the year.
Marcos Jr. also instructed the Department of Labor and Employment, in coordination with his economic managers, to find new jobs for Filipino POGO workers who would be displaced by the ban.IMT
