The POGO ban has been in effect for some time now. Some people are still holding on in the Philippines, believing that brighter days are ahead, while others packed up and moved to a third country immediately after the ban was issued.

Overnight, Manila transformed into a different scene. Previously, places like Shore, which were bustling with noise, have become much quieter, with very few lights on at night.

There are also reports that even large groups like AG have started laying off employees!

Speaking of AG, it is a standout from the Cagayan Economic Zone.

In 2013, AG (Asia Gaming) was established and began sponsoring various events from the end of that year, such as concerts by celebrities like George Lam, Rene Liu, Jay Chou, Han Hong; TOPKING boxing, Macau Grand Prix, and other competitions.

By 2016, after three years of hard work, AG's business covered live studios, online games, electronic games, and VIP hotel services, finally making a name for itself and appearing at various international exhibitions.

In 2018, AG opened an electronic gaming hall in Europe, expanding its user base; in 2019, its LOGO was directly displayed in Times Square in the USA, which was quite impressive!

In 2020, when many were still figuring out what AR was, AG had already incorporated AR into its games, and in 2021, it even brought in the god of war, Battisti, and signed with FIBA.

AG is a comprehensive entertainment entity that integrates online gaming, telephony, and live betting, with well-known platforms like Jiuyouhui under its umbrella.

Unfortunately, even such a powerful group could not escape the "range" of the ban.

When the ban was first issued, the chairman of PAGCOR confidently stated that the POGO ban did not include businesses with IGL licenses. However, this was quickly contradicted by others.

AG was forced to announce a 20% layoff and relocation of several departments to other countries in September. The departments to be moved varied in their policies. In short, they were scattered to go "jungle" in countries like Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, etc.

Later, it was thought that the remaining departments could stay well in RCBC and Alpha Buildings. However, the Philippines began to crack down on these "jungle" personnel, regardless of whether they were in buildings or apartments, they were targeted! Xin Ding Cai was raided at midnight, and even counterattacked! RCBC was raided, and AG's employees were photographed! Despite AG's official control, the news still spread online!

Jia Mi Di? Pearl Tower? They had already declared dissolution!

Don't think that staying in the economic zone will keep you safe, BPO companies in Bataan were also raided. The government always finds a reason if they want to act!

(Although the company was sealed and could not continue to operate due to the incident of slapping an employee, which caused quite a stir)

By the beginning of the month, when the administrative order from Xiao Ma was issued, the departments of AG and other major companies that were holding their ground just felt cold inside! Regardless of what POGO, IGL, economic zone, trade zone, or self-managed zone, all gambling was banned!

Given the current situation, there are only two possibilities for policy reversal:

One, Xiao Ma changes his mind

This possibility is small. Because Xiao Ma has issued consecutive POGO bans, administrative orders, and notices to Cagayan.

However, considering Xiao Ma's attitude when he first issued the POGO ban, it's still a bit uncertain.

At that time, everyone was hoping that Xiao Ma would soon provide a detailed explanation of the POGO ban. However, eh? Xiao Ma went to guide disaster relief instead, without making any statements or comments.

In September and October, he said he would issue an administrative order, but then he didn't express any related attitude, instead, the legislators were more active, submitting several bills to ban POGO. Then Xiao Ma finally issued the administrative order in November. It felt a bit like being pushed into doing it.

Interestingly, regarding the controversial points in the administrative order, the legislators urged the enactment of laws to better implement it. Xiao Ma, however, said: No need to enact laws.

Two, reissue new licenses

This possibility exists.

It's a routine for the Philippine government, one government, one set of licenses. During Aquino's era, the license was called First Cagayan, and when Duterte came to power, he established PAGCOR, requiring all POGO to change to new certificates. Because many companies did not change their licenses, Duterte directly conducted a major crackdown! Then Xiao Ma took office, and there was no handover of licenses, but various crackdowns continued. Until this ban was issued.

It's hard to say whether this move is a reshuffle, or whether a new license will be established after this year to redevelop the POGO industry.

(Actually, given the current situation where nine out of ten rooms are empty, it is rather conducive to redevelopment, as most of the messy black companies have moved away.)

Returning to AG, currently, many large companies are doing the same as AG, basically retaining some departments in the Philippines while moving other departments to other countries.

Currently, it seems that Xiao Ma is either following the trend or being led by the legislators.

Although Xiao Ma said that there is no need to pass laws to implement the administrative order, with the administrative order and ban already issued and their coverage clearly defined, plus the enactment of the land law, the remaining days are probably another harvest festival!

According to an unnamed war correspondent: AG plans to apply for a new license in February next year!

It is not yet clear whether, under the ban, it is possible to apply for a new license to continue surviving in the Philippines through "solid" relationships, or whether it means that the Philippines will introduce a new license next year.

Bans, administrative orders, laws, seem to be all coming together. But! Pagcor is still operating, and the economic zones are still minimally affected!

The Philippines bans POGO, but not gambling!

And the return of online gambling is just another matter of the ban!

As for now, is it the twilight before the night? Or the gloom before the dawn? Everything is still uncertain!