PAGCOR denies reopening of POGOs

“POGOs remain banned, and there are no plans to bring them back, now or in the foreseeable future,” he added. (File Photo By Lawrence Ruiz/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

By Anna Leah Gonzales, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Monday denied the reopening of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

In a statement, PAGCOR warned the public against letters and text messages being circulated that POGOs will reopen.

“It has come to our attention that some people are enticing potential investors into paying huge amounts for supposed limited slots of POGO licenses, and saying POGOs will be supposedly operating directly under PAGCOR,” PAGCOR chairperson and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco said.

“POGOs remain banned, and there are no plans to bring them back, now or in the foreseeable future,” he added.

Tengco said scammers are asking would-be investors for up to PHP50 million supposedly for lawyer’s fees, consultation and assessment to get a POGO slot.

“We reiterate: POGOs will not reopen during the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and PAGCOR is not entertaining, and will not entertain, any applications,” Tengco said.

In November last year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 74 ordering the ban of the Philippine offshore gaming, internet gaming, and other offshore gaming operations in the country.