In recent years, the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry has been controversial due to issues involving money laundering, fraud, and human trafficking. Among these, there has been rampant speculation about whether certain gaming licenses (such as the PIGO license) are connected to Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. or his family.
1. What is a PIGO license?
PIGO (Philippine Inland Gaming Operator) license is a gaming operation permit issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), allowing licensed companies to operate casinos, electronic gaming, and other businesses within the Philippines. Unlike POGO, which targets offshore markets, PIGO primarily serves the local market but still must comply with strict regulatory standards.
However, in recent years, some PIGO licenses have been accused of being linked to illegal fund flows, political asylum, and even transnational criminal organizations, raising widespread social concerns.
2. The Marcos family and the Philippine gaming industry
(1) Historical background: The economic empire of the Marcos family
Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. comes from one of the most controversial political families in the Philippines—the Marcos family. His father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who ruled from 1965 to 1986, was accused of amassing vast wealth through corrupt means, with the family's business tentacles extending into real estate, mining, energy, and other sectors.
Although Bongbong Marcos has repeatedly denied direct involvement in the gaming industry, his family allies and business partners are alleged to have close ties with some gaming companies.
(2) Political asylum and the gaming industry
The Philippine gaming industry has long been accused of being linked to political-business collusion. Some analysts believe that some PIGO license holders may obtain government protection through political donations or business cooperation. For example:
During the 2022 elections, some gaming companies were exposed for providing financial support to political candidates.
In the 2023 POGO crackdown, reports indicated that some closed gaming companies were linked to political figures.
However, as of now, there is no direct evidence that Bongbong Marcos or his core family members directly hold a PIGO license or profit from it.
3. The Philippine government's regulatory stance on PIGO
After taking office, the Marcos administration adopted a policy of "limited crackdown, but not a complete ban" on the gaming industry:
In 2023: Closed several POGO companies involved in crimes, but retained legal licensed operators.
In 2024: PAGCOR announced it would strengthen the scrutiny of PIGO licenses, requiring companies to prove the legality of their funding sources.
Recent controversy: Some legislators question the government's failure to thoroughly clean up the gaming industry, possibly due to lobbying by interest groups.
Bongbong Marcos has publicly stated: "The Philippines needs to regulate the gaming industry, but cannot allow it to become a hotbed for crime." However, critics believe that the government's regulatory efforts are still insufficient.
Conclusion: No conclusive evidence, but the controversy continues
Currently, there is no conclusive evidence that the Marcos family directly controls PIGO licenses or profits from them. However, the long-standing ambiguous political-business relationships and regulatory loopholes in the Philippine gaming industry have led to public skepticism about government transparency.
