The Philippine government has recently made phased achievements in the crackdown on the offshore gaming industry (POGO), but the latest survey shows that some illegal operators are still lurking through "whitewashing" methods.
According to the latest data disclosed by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), this crackdown, called "the strictest in Philippine history," has led to the closure of 45 licensed companies and the revocation of work permits for 53,700 foreign workers.
Effectiveness of the Crackdown and Data Transparency
PAOCC Chairman Gilbert Cruz revealed at a press conference that the operation has deported more than 2,300 illegal foreign workers, most of whom are Chinese citizens. The number of legal POGO operators has sharply decreased from 60 in mid-year to only 7, and these survivors are operating under the strict supervision of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
"We have seen a positive shift," said PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco, "The existing legal operators have shown a high degree of cooperation and have actively accepted various compliance reviews."
New Disguises of Illegal Operations
However, PAOCC Director Winnie Kidatu warns that some illegal POGOs have not truly exited the market but have adopted more covert operating modes:
Business Segmentation: Dividing large-scale gambling operations into multiple small units
Industry Disguise: Registering as "Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)" companies or resort operators
Location Concealment: Renting legitimate commercial buildings and blending into legal business clusters
"The name POGO has become too sensitive," Kidatu pointed out, "These illegal operators are trying to evade regulatory scrutiny through business whitewashing."
Government's Continued High-Pressure Crackdown
Justice Minister Remulla emphasized that the government's crackdown on illegal gambling will not stop: "We will track down to the end, until all illegal operators are completely eradicated." It is reported that the Philippine authorities have established a cross-departmental joint monitoring mechanism, focusing on:
Suspicious business registration information
Unusual office leasing activities
Suspicious patterns of fund flows
PAOCC stated that it will strengthen cooperation with international law enforcement agencies in the future to cut off the cross-border financial chains and personnel flows of illegal POGOs.
Industry Transformation and Diplomatic Considerations
Behind this crackdown storm is the Philippine government's deep reflection on the positioning of the gambling industry. In addition to solving security and illegal labor issues, the government hopes to reduce the negative impact of this industry on the country's reputation and diplomatic relations. Analysts point out that as regulation continues to tighten, the Philippine gambling industry is facing a critical transformation:
Legal operators are developing towards higher standards of compliance
The space for illegal operations is continuously being squeezed
The overall industry is adjusting towards a healthier direction
PAGCOR stated that it will promote a "quality over quantity" regulatory strategy in the future to ensure the sustainable development of the Philippine gambling industry. The results of this crackdown operation may reshape the overall landscape of the gambling industry in Southeast Asia.
