Although the Philippines has issued a POGO ban, a cat-and-mouse game against the underground gambling network continues. The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recently targeted more covert illegal operations—secret casinos disguised as business process outsourcing (BPO) or information technology companies. This multi-departmental crackdown demonstrates the authorities' determination to eradicate the remnants of illegal gambling.
Senior officials take a tough stance: Targeting "changing jackets" of underground operations
Major General Nartates, acting chief of the PNP, clearly stated that the police action is "intelligence-driven." His warning is quite direct: All groups attempting to continue illegal gambling operations under the guise of BPO or IT solution companies, no matter where they hide, will be located and eliminated. "We will find you, shut down your platform, and initiate the most severe legal proceedings." This statement is not just talk. The police are collaborating with the Bureau of Immigration, the Bureau of Investigation, and other agencies, aiming to send a clear message: The Philippines will no longer tolerate any form of illegal gambling, which concerns national security and international reputation. For updates on similar regulatory compliance dynamics around the world, keep an eye on PASA's official website.
Recent crackdown cases: Joint actions reveal the true face of "IT companies"
Action is the best proof. In early December, a joint raid exposed a typical underground operation mode. The Criminal Investigation Group, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, and other units jointly raided a den posing as an IT-BPO. What was the result? Not only was a Chinese fugitive arrested, but also 17 foreign nationals operating the "pin77.com" platform were captured (including 12 Chinese, 4 Malaysians, and 1 Vietnamese). This platform did not have a license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). More surprisingly, as many as 83 Filipino employees came forward to accuse the company of recruitment fraud under the guise of a legitimate business. This case vividly demonstrates how the underground network operates and how cross-departmental law enforcement effectively responds.
The industry impact and regulatory prospects under continuous crackdown
The PNP emphasizes that this operation "is just the beginning." This indicates that the high-pressure situation against the residual underground POGO network will become the new norm. For practitioners still watching or trying to transition underground, the risk is rapidly increasing. The police's strategy is very clear—precisely identify, verify, and destroy. In the long run, this continuous crackdown will help purify the local business environment, but it may also prompt illegal activities to exist in a more dispersed and more covert form. The game between regulation and illegality enters a new phase, and the technical means and intelligence capabilities of law enforcement agencies will face further tests in the future.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders," a gambling industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
Original in-depth gambling channel:https://t.me/gamblingdeep
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PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
