Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially signed the "2025 Anti-POGO Act" (Republic Act No. 12312), declaring the offshore gaming industry (POGO) completely illegal in the Philippines, with all related websites, platforms, and service providers required to cease operations immediately. The new law stipulates that any establishment, operation, or participation in offshore gaming activities is illegal, all existing POGO licenses are permanently revoked, and foreign employee visas are invalidated. The government has established an inter-departmental "Administrative Oversight Committee" responsible for law enforcement review to prevent the resurgence of disguised gambling. The bill has received support from several legislators, who believe it will effectively curb related crimes, but it may lead to an exodus of foreign workers and capital flight.
Core Content and Immediate Impact
The "2025 Anti-POGO Act" explicitly prohibits any establishment, operation, or participation in offshore gaming within the Philippines, and bans the use of corporate entities to cover up gambling operations. All POGO licenses issued by PAGCOR, the Economic Zone Authority, and other institutions are immediately and permanently revoked. Upon the law's enactment, all national gambling websites, platforms, and service providers must cease operations immediately. Work visas and exemption documents for foreign employees are also completely invalidated, and related businesses must liquidate and leave the country before the law takes effect, or face criminal prosecution.
Enforcement Mechanism and Inter-Departmental Supervision
To ensure effective implementation of the law, the President has ordered the establishment of the "Administrative Oversight Committee," composed of the Anti-Organized Crime Committee (PAOCC), the Department of Justice, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the Department of the Interior, responsible for coordinating investigations and reviews to prevent any form of "disguised gambling" resurgence. Police forces across the Philippines will simultaneously inspect remaining POGO zones and scam dens hidden in office buildings, strengthening law enforcement efforts.
Legislative Background and Social Response
Senator Tito Sotto described the bill as "a crucial step in correcting the mistakes of the previous administration," noting that the POGO industry has turned the Philippines into a hotbed of crime, involving underage trafficking, fraud, and other serious issues. The main author of the bill, Senator Joel Villanueva, emphasized that POGO has led to rampant crimes such as kidnapping, human trafficking, and prostitution, and that banning gambling is the first step in restoring social order and morality. Analysts believe that the ban may lead to the expulsion of thousands of foreign workers and the transfer of gambling capital to other Southeast Asian countries.
