The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) of the Philippines expects the President to issue an Executive Order (EO) banning offshore gaming operations (POGOs) within two weeks.
PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz, speaking to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, confirmed he had reviewed the draft EO, though details of its implementation were still under discussion.
“The method of implementation is still being resolved … discussions currently focus on the concept of the operation and its dissemination,” Cruz stated, as reported by the Inquirer.
Senators questioned whether the EO would also affect Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) entities and online games. Cruz responded that a technical working group, including the nation’s gaming regulator PAGCOR, would address those concerns.
“We will clearly define what constitutes a POGO and identify related businesses. All of this will be included in the law to ensure that POGOs cannot operate again, regardless of who is President,” stated Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, as reported by the publication.
Gatchalian also raised concerns about PIGOs (onshore gaming for local clients), citing regulatory weaknesses in account setup procedures.
He then asked PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro H. Tengco if integrated resorts’ shift to eGaming would cannibalize revenue from land-based casinos. Tengco agreed that it could affect the industry but noted that in-person gaming would remain popular at integrated resorts both locally and internationally.
Meanwhile, Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Joel Villanueva joined Gatchalian in calling for a ban on all forms of online gambling, aiming to merge their proposed bills into a comprehensive law banning all POGO operations.
We have to wait and see how this all play out by the deadline of the end of the year as prescribed by the POGO ban announcement of President Marcos.
