The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) announced it will no longer allow the creation of new Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs. PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco made the announcement on Wednesday during a Senate inquiry into illegal activities linked to POGOs.
In July 2023, PAGCOR introduced updated regulations for POGOs. It now refers to them officially as “Internet Gaming Licensees” or IGLs. Since then, PAGCOR has steadily tightened its oversight measures.
Tengco emphasized that PAGCOR will closely monitor the 43 remaining licensed POGO firms across the country. He said the agency has already deployed dedicated “24/7 teams” to oversee daily operations. “Hopefully, that can deter illegal activities. If we detect anything suspicious, we will immediately report it to the police,” Tengco stated during the hearing.
He described the new policy banning POGO hubs as part of ongoing regulatory “enhancements.” According to Tengco, “We’re coming out with certain guidelines. We’re already banning hubs.”
However, despite the announcement, Tengco did not specify what PAGCOR defines as a POGO “hub.” Multiple media outlets reported the lack of clarification following his testimony.
This move to ban new POGO hubs follows increasing calls from lawmakers and political blocs to outlaw the entire POGO sector. Tengco acknowledged the growing opposition and added that PAGCOR would respect any decision by Congress or President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to implement a complete ban on POGOs.
POGOs continue to face serious criticism. Several issues, including tax evasion, illegal labor practices, and failure to pay regulatory fees, have plagued the industry. These problems have damaged the sector’s credibility, according to prior PAGCOR statements.
Despite the intensifying debate, officials have not yet formally discussed a full ban on POGO licenses. Arsenio Balisacan, Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), clarified this during a separate media interview on Tuesday.
During the Senate hearing, Tengco also addressed allegations involving former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. He revealed that Roque had lobbied for the POGO firm Lucky South 99 Inc. in July 2023. Authorities recently raided the firm for suspected human trafficking and other illegal activities. PAGCOR records showed that Lucky South 99 owed US$500,000 in arrears.
Tengco clarified that Roque did not pressure PAGCOR to intervene on the company’s behalf. However, Roque’s name appeared in the company’s reapplication for its gaming license, which was due to expire in October 2023.
Previously, Tengco had mentioned that a former government official had lobbied for granting licenses to unidentified illegal POGO operations.
In response, Roque publicly denied any involvement in illegal POGO activity. He stated, “I clarify that I did not consent to nor was I informed of my name’s inclusion in any submission by Lucky South to PAGCOR concerning license renewal.”
As PAGCOR continues to crack down on violations and improve transparency, it remains under pressure to restore public trust and eliminate illicit gaming operations. The Senate inquiry marks another key step in holding both operators and facilitators accountable.
