Marcos Signs Law Ending POGO Operations for Good
POGO – In a decisive move hailed as a victory for national integrity and public safety, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially signed into law a nationwide ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially signed into law Republic Act No. 12312, which bans all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in the country. The newly enacted measure repeals the previous law that had legitimized and taxed POGOs, marking the end of the industry’s legal existence in the Philippines.
“It shall be prohibited for any person or entity to conduct or offer offshore gaming as defined under this law,” the measure stated. The law identifies a wide range of punishable acts, including the operation of POGO businesses, the acceptance of offshore bets, and the establishment of physical gaming hubs across the country. Individuals or groups that assist or cooperate with these illegal operations will also be held criminally liable.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has been stripped of its authority to issue new POGO licenses. Furthermore, all existing licenses for POGO hubs—including those situated in special economic zones—are immediately revoked. The government has also canceled all special work permits previously granted to foreign employees in the offshore gaming sector. Moving forward, authorities are prohibited from issuing such permits to prospective workers entering the country for similar jobs.
To support Filipino employees displaced by the POGO shutdown, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has been tasked with facilitating their transition to new employment opportunities.
The penalties for violating the law are severe. Offenders may face imprisonment of up to eight years and a fine reaching ₱15 million for the first offense. A second offense could result in up to 10 years in prison and a fine of ₱30 million, while a third offense carries a possible 12-year sentence and a ₱50 million fine.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who spearheaded the Senate inquiry into POGOs, welcomed the passage of the law, expressing gratitude to the victims who shared their experiences. “From the minors who were forced into prostitution to serve Chinese POGO workers, from the magical tales of Mayor Alice Guo’s scam hubs, clearly, POGOs have harmed our country in more ways than we can imagine,” she said.
POGOs flourished under former president Rodrigo Duterte’s administration but were frequently linked to crimes such as human trafficking and scams. President Marcos had earlier issued an executive order banning POGOs—a move now reinforced by this landmark legislation.
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