POGOs or Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators were officially banned in the Philippines after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12312. The law prohibits any operation, acceptance of bets, and establishment of POGO hubs in the country.
Prohibited activities include assisting or supporting POGO operations. All licenses of existing POGO hubs, including those in special economic zones, have also been revoked. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. is also no longer allowed to issue licenses or special work permits for POGO workers.
The Department of Labor and Employment will handle job relocation for Filipinos affected by the POGO ban. Violators of the law can be imprisoned for up to eight years and fined P15 million for the first time. For the second and third offenses, it can go up to 12 years in prison and a P50 million fine.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who led the investigation into POGOs, thanked the victims who shared their experiences. She said that many Filipinos have been harmed by everything from human trafficking to scam operations connected to POGOs.
POGOs were rampant during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, and authorities often cracked down on illegal operations. Marcos emphasized the ban through an executive order, which is now being enforced by a new law.
