The Philippines has entered a critical phase in its crackdown on the offshore gaming industry. With the House of Representatives passing a bill to completely ban offshore gaming operations (POGO), the country is just one presidential signature away from a total prohibition of POGO.
Last month, the Senate unanimously passed the "2025 Anti-POGO Act" with 23 votes, which has now completed the legislative process in both houses and is set to be signed by President Marcos Jr.
The Senate Bill No. 2868, co-authored by several senators including Qiao Wei Zhang, Bong Go, and Risa Hontiveros, specifies that anyone involved in POGO and convicted will face 6 to 12 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of 300,000 pesos. Government officials involved will face even harsher penalties. This legislation stems from a series of illegal POGO crime cases exposed in 2024, involving human trafficking, abuse, and sexual exploitation, and implicating several high officials including the former mayor of Banban City, Ai Ping Guo.
The House's vote is seen as a clear stance on the "zero tolerance" policy towards POGO. Although the full text of the House version of the bill has not yet been made public, its core content is consistent with the Senate—completely banning POGO operations, no longer issuing new licenses, and initiating a cleanup process for existing operators.
The implementation of the POGO ban will have a significant impact on the Philippine economy and employment landscape. The industry once brought substantial tax revenue and job opportunities, and its exit will inevitably affect thousands of local and foreign workers. The government needs to simultaneously introduce assistance and transition mechanisms to alleviate the social and economic pains.
Once the President signs the bill, the Philippines will become the first country in Southeast Asia to completely ban POGO, likely causing a ripple effect on the regional gaming industry and related supply chains.
