PAGCOR: All licenses canceled but illegal POGOs still exist

FILE: ANTI-POGO OPS. Personnel from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), and Bureau of Immigration (BI) raid an alleged scam hub in Bagac, Bataan on Oct. 31, 2024. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday (Nov. 6) urged all concerned agencies to closely coordinate with each other to prevent POGOs from exploiting operational gaps. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said all licensed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) have been shut down but illegal gambling networks persist.

During a Senate hearing Tuesday, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros questioned PAGCOR officials regarding the enforcement of the POGO ban as ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his 2024 State of the Nation Address.

PAGCOR assistant vice president Jessa Fernandez reported that since July 22, 2024, the agency ceased issuing and renewing internet gaming licenses.

By Dec. 31, all 42 licenses and 18 authorized service providers have been fully canceled while 304 operating sites nationwide were closed, she said.

She added that they continue to work with law enforcement agencies and local government units (LGUs) to ensure that the establishments remain closed.

Despite the official closure of POGO operations, PAGCOR senior vice president Raul Villanueva admitted that some operators have splintered into smaller illegal groups, setting up operations inside residential subdivisions and urban peripheries.

“We have observed that they have moved into smaller groups operating in residential areas. Unlike before, when we could inspect sites at any hour, we now face restrictions and need coordination with LGUs, business permits offices and building administrators,” he told the panel.

Hontiveros also raised concerns over Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGOs), questioning whether former POGO operators are shifting to PIGO licenses.

PAGCOR reported that 61 PIGO licenses have been issued and committed to submitting the full list to the Senate committee.

PIGOs, which include casinos and online games, offer the same types of gambling but the clients are Filipinos.

To prevent PIGOs from replicating POGO-related issues, Fernandez said PAGCOR is strengthening responsible gaming programs, including potential artificial intelligence (AI) monitoring of gambling behavior.

Hontiveros welcomed the efforts but cautioned against implementing AI monitoring without established protocols.

“While I appreciate the commitment to responsible gaming, safeguards must be in place to prevent AI misuse,” she said, underscoring the need for stronger coordination between PAGCOR, law enforcement agencies and LGUs.