When President Marcos announced the "total ban on offshore gambling (POGO)" during his third State of the Nation Address, the atmosphere suddenly heated up, winning the standing ovation of many legislators and guests. He emphasized that POGO had become a hotbed for crimes such as fraud, money laundering, and human trafficking. Subsequently, on November 8, 2024, Marcos signed Executive Order No. 74, which completely prohibits POGO starting from December 31.
However, with the exit of POGO, domestic gambling operators (PIGO) gradually came into the public eye, also sparking a new round of controversy. PIGO serves Filipino players, holds a PAGCOR license, and is only open to registered VIPs. Although its revenue has not yet been disclosed, the total revenue of the gambling industry in 2024 reached 372.3 billion pesos, of which electronic games and electronic bingo contributed 154.5 billion.
PAGCOR Chairman Tengco pointed out that the growth in electronic gambling revenue partly stems from the reform of the fee policy, which has reduced the profit-sharing ratio from a maximum of 55% to 30% since 2023. However, calls for scrutiny have intensified. Senate President Isko questioned whether PIGO might be a "rebranding" of POGO, stating: "If even foreign gambling is banned, how can we allow our own people to continue gambling?"
Currently, several bills are proposed to restrict domestic gambling. Senator Ehsan urges financial regulators to cut off the flow of gambling funds to prevent minors from accessing online gambling.
Although the President's Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) stated that there is no evidence yet of POGO being renamed PIGO, the government is considering whether to completely ban or strengthen regulation.
The Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Gaston said that studies show that PIGO has not yet been directly linked to crime. However, the religious sector has issued a warning. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) calls online gambling a "new plague," not only destroying individual conscience but also damaging family relationships, urging the government to strictly regulate electronic payment platforms and restrict minors' access to gambling.
The Bishops' Conference emphasized: "Gambling numbs the conscience, and we cannot remain silent. Resisting gambling addiction relies on honest work and the power of faith."
