Beginning today, the Philippine government has officially banned all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) from operating in the country.
During his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made the declaration. He firmly stated, “The grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop.” Lawmakers and guests responded with resounding applause and a standing ovation.
President Marcos stressed in Filipino, “Kailangan nang itigil ang panggulo nito sa ating lipunan at paglalapastangan sa ating bansa.” His message struck a chord with a public that has grown increasingly vocal in calling for a total POGO ban.
He announced, “Effective today, all POGOs are banned.” The declaration marked a historic turning point in the country’s gambling regulatory landscape.
To implement the order, President Marcos directed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to begin winding down all POGO operations immediately. He ordered the agency to complete the cessation of activities by the end of the year.
In addition, he instructed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in coordination with economic managers, to provide job assistance. Their task is to help Filipino workers affected by the shutdown find new employment opportunities.
President Marcos highlighted the deep-rooted problems linked to POGOs. He emphasized that while they often disguise themselves as legitimate entities, many have ventured into serious criminal activity.
He warned, “Their operations have ventured into illicit areas furthest from gaming such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, even murder.”
The President expressed confidence that banning POGOs will significantly ease the country’s current issues. “It will solve many of the problems that we have been encountering, but it will not solve all of them,” he admitted.
To fully address national concerns, President Marcos called for unity and integrity. “To solve all the problems that we have been suffering under, all officials, law enforcers, workers in government, and most of all the citizenry, must always be vigilant, principled, and think of the health of the nation,” he said.
He closed his address with a powerful call to action. Marcos quoted a moral lesson from philosopher John Stuart Mill, emphasizing that inaction in the face of wrongdoing is itself a failure.
He said, “Let not anyone pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.”
He repeated the line for emphasis: “He is not a good man who, without a protest, allows wrong to be committed in his name.”
Finally, he encouraged all Filipinos to stand for what is right and just. “Mabuhay po kayo at mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas,” Marcos declared, concluding his address.
Now that the government has banned all POGOs, attention will likely shift to domestic online gaming. This sector—licensed separately by PAGCOR—continues to operate and serve the Philippine market under a different regulatory framework.
