The Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators (POGO) sector of the gambling industry has faced intense scrutiny over the past few years, with select Senators and business owners calling for an expulsion of the program. With links to major crimes, including kidnapping, trafficking, homicide, and enslavement, the calls to rid the program from the country have intensified.
Leading the charge against POGO licensing is Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who has spent months lobbying to force change at the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Now, he might have the support needed, with 10 of 18 senators signing an initiative to override the program.
POGO’s On The Chopping Block
The popular offshore operators’ program has drawn national attention throughout the Philippines, with some cities banning the trade in their jurisdiction. President Marco Ferdinand Jr. reiterated what PAGCOR stated, that only illegal operators were causing the problems, not POGO-licensed operators.
If the program were to be expelled, the initiative would be structured to deploy the Department of Labor and Employment to assist in finding new positions for the industry employees who will lose their jobs due to the closures. The new proposal also suggests that the Bureau of Immigration revoke work visas issued for workers in the POGO industry.
How Do Online Casinos Operate In The Philippines?
Legal online casinos in the Philippines all operate from outside the country; however, only licensed gambling sites are technically legal since they operate under regulations set by the international gaming commissions. Trusted regulators test odds and security practices to ensure the sites are fair and safe. To learn more about the best places for PH players, see our online casino reviews, where our industry professionals break down each site and offer valuable information about banking, bonuses, games, and more.
All online casinos operating from inside of the Philippines at this time can only offer their services to online players outside the country despite being licensed by PAGCOR. PAGCOR offers these licensing and ensures the casinos are fair, but claims rogue (unlicensed) operators, or previous operators, are the reason for all the bad press.