Pasay City completely bans POGO, 169 POGO centers have been shut down.

The Pasay City government in the Philippines recently announced a complete ban on POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators), closing down 169 POGO centers.

The mayor had already ordered a crackdown on POGO, with the police launching a full-scale operation.

Colonel Samuel Pabonita, the chief of the Pasay City Police, stated that although the president has not officially ordered a ban on POGO, Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano had already directed the police to strictly combat illegal POGO and related gambling activities.

Multiple rounds of inspections led to the closure of 13 POGO centers due to licensing issues.

According to statistics, from December 2023 to June 2024, the Pasay City government inspected 23 POGO centers, 13 of which were ordered to shut down by the Pasay City Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for failing to meet business licensing and regulatory requirements.

Following the presidential ban, enforcement efforts were further intensified.

After the president officially issued the POGO ban, Mayor Rubiano further instructed the BPLO to collaborate with the police for frequent and unannounced raids to ensure the comprehensive implementation of the policy prohibiting POGO operations.

With 169 POGO centers closed, the Pasay City government adopts a "zero tolerance" policy towards POGO.

As the government continues to strengthen its crackdown, all 169 POGO centers in the city were successively closed, clearly indicating a zero-tolerance policy. Whether operating covertly, on a short-term basis, or disguised as other businesses, none could escape the strong enforcement by the authorities.

This move further highlights the Philippine government's firm resolve to combat illegal gambling activities and is expected to trigger a larger-scale POGO cleanup operation nationwide.