PAGCOR to Ban POGO Hubs as Lawmakers Drag Feet on Permanent Ban
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PAGCOR’s chair and CEO, Alejandro Tengco, disclosed the new policy during a Senate inquiry into the illegal activities of POGOs, now rebranded as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs). Tengco emphasized the agency’s commitment to stringent oversight of the 43 licensed POGO firms still operational in the country, with “24/7 teams” set to monitor their activities closely.
The decision to prohibit POGO hubs, although not explicitly defined during the hearing, aligns with increasing demands from various political groups for a total ban on POGOs. Tengco acknowledged PAGCOR’s readiness to support any directive from Congress and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding the implementation of such a ban.
The Senate hearing also shed light on the lobbying efforts of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque for the POGO firm Lucky South 99 Inc. in July 2023. Following a raid for suspected human trafficking and other illicit activities, it was revealed that the firm had accumulated $500,000 in unpaid license fees.
Despite the mounting pressure for a ban, discussions among cabinet officials in the Philippines have yet to address the issue. Calls for the prohibition of POGOs have been echoed repeatedly by various elements within the nation’s political sphere.
However, Arsenio Balisacan, Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), indicated that the topic of banning online licenses has not been broached in cabinet discussions, as reported by the Manila Bulletin. This is in stark contrast to the legislative efforts underway, with several bills aimed at discontinuing the online gaming segment.
Fiscal Dilemmas
The scenario presents a complex challenge for the Philippine government, balancing the economic benefits derived from POGOs against the social and legal issues they have engendered. The POGO industry has been a significant source of revenue, but it has also been associated with a range of criminal activities, including illegal employment and exploitation.
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