Philippine authorities plan to cancel all work visas for employees of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) by October 15, 2024, giving them ample time to leave the Philippines smoothly when their employers cease operations. This decision marks the government's full implementation of the ban against the online gambling industry.
By that date, most Chinese online gambling industry workers will lose their commercial 9G visas and will be switched to a tourist visa valid for 60 days, which will allow them to legally stay until the end of 2024. The government has planned to publish notices in major newspapers, providing relevant transition information to protect workers from unethical practices.
Currently, the government is coordinating repatriation plans, expecting about 100,000 online gambling workers to leave the country by the end of the year. Relevant agencies are assessing how to handle the peak demand for repatriation, including considering solutions such as charter flights.
Previously, President Marcos Jr. announced in his State of the Nation Address that all licensed online gambling institutions must cease operations in the Philippines by the end of 2023. After discussions with various departments and representatives of gambling companies, the government decided to cancel the commercial 9G visas.
According to data from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), there are currently about 22,184 foreign workers employed by licensed online gambling companies, of which 7,534 are Chinese citizens. Data from the Department of Finance indicates that the total number of foreign workers could reach 41,347.
