With the comprehensive ban on online gambling (POGO) officially taking effect in 2025, the Philippine government has launched a new round of actions to monitor and crack down on the activities of small-scale online gambling companies nationwide.
According to the policy proposed by President Marcos Jr. in last year's State of the Nation Address, all POGO companies must cease operations by December 31, 2024. The implementation of this executive order marks the beginning of the Philippines' complete prohibition of the online gambling industry.
Gilbert Cruz, the executive director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), stated that despite the ban, some small-scale online gambling companies are still operating secretly, especially in areas with a high concentration of foreigners. He noted that these companies choose densely populated locations to evade regulation.
Cruz mentioned that the president reminded that local governments could not be completely unaware of these illegal activities. Certain indicators, such as a surge in the number of foreigners, an increase in internet installation applications, and an abnormal growth in food delivery volumes, could all suggest the presence of online gambling activities.
To enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement, the president has instructed central government departments to provide support to resource-limited local governments. Cruz said that the PAOCC, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and other relevant departments will cooperate with local governments to ensure the effective implementation of the ban.
He stated, "The issue of online gambling needs to be addressed through a whole-government approach, rather than relying solely on local governments."
Cruz further warned that after the December 31 deadline, the government will adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards all online gambling companies that have not shut down.
He explicitly stated that even if these companies claim to hold licenses from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) or operate under the guise of business process outsourcing (BPO), they will not be exempted.
"We will launch a comprehensive raid in January, and any violators will face arrest," Cruz said.
This action is an important step by the Philippine government to strengthen regulation and purify the economic environment. With the start of the new year, the comprehensive enforcement by various departments will ensure that illegal online gambling activities are completely eradicated, providing strong protection for the restoration of order and safety in local communities.
