The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) stated that over 150 smaller-scale Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are under surveillance, and these enterprises are expected to shut down by the end of the year, while only about 20 of such businesses are recorded by PAGCOR.
As of now, according to PAGCOR's records, we are waiting for about 20 POGOs to completely close," said PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.
He added, "But we are monitoring another 150 or so, although a total ban has been announced by the president, these institutions are still operating."
These smaller online gambling companies actually originated from larger companies, which were raided by law enforcement at the behest of President Ferdinand Marcos. They were banned in July due to reports of illegal activities.
"What we are talking about are those that came from large online gambling companies, which have now turned into smaller online gambling companies. Others have moved to small resorts, apartments, gated houses, and other places we are still considering," Cruz said.
Earlier, Marcos called for authorities to launch smaller but multiple actions against online gambling companies, despite the comprehensive ban, these online gambling companies still exist in the country.
As of November 29, government data shows that 53,700 people had their offshore gambling employment permits revoked; 18 online gambling licensees voluntarily revoked their licenses; 27 IGLs are winding up their operations.
Marcos announced a ban on online gambling companies in his State of the Nation Address in July last year, as these businesses are associated with serious crimes.
In November last year, Marcos signed Executive Order No. 74, prohibiting the country's online gambling companies, online gambling licenses, and other offshore gambling operations.
