From Inquirer

By AJ Alarcon

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act No. 12312, declaring all Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) and related activities illegal, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Wednesday, October 29.

Signed by Marcos on Thursday, October 23, the measure — also known as the “Anti-POGO Act of 2025” — bans the establishment of POGOs, acceptance of offshore bets, operation of physical gaming hubs, and any form of assistance to perpetrators.

All licenses and work permits for POGO hubs issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), special economic zone authorities, and other government agencies have been revoked under the new law.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is tasked to implement programs to help Filipino workers affected by the ban transition into new job opportunities.

Violators face penalties of up to eight years in prison and fines of up to P15 million for the first offense.

A second offense may result in 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to P30 million.

For the third offense, violators may face up to 12 years in prison and fines reaching P50 million.

The enactment of the law follows years of government investigations, raids, and rescues uncovering forced labor, human trafficking, prostitution, and money laundering within the POGO industry.
In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, 2024, Marcos directed PAGCOR to shut down all POGO operations by the end of the year, citing criminality and corruption tied to the sector.