Some Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) companies voluntarily shutdown their operation following President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s total ban order, Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chairperson Alejandro Tengco said on Wednesday.
In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, Marcos gave all POGOs until December 31,2024 to wind down their operations.
During Wednesday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, Tengco reported that five POGOs immediately stopped operating since July. He said 41 PAGCOR-licensed POGOS, also known as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs), are about to close.
The POGO firm in the Island Cove in Cavite already advised PAGCOR it will cease operation on December 15, 2024. To ensure their compliance, the company said it will open its doors to the senators and PAGCOR officials by December 16.
Tengco also informed the committee that some licensed POGOS or IGLs have written them, seeking cancellation of their permits via written communication.
However, they sought consideration for their Accounting and Logistics Department to operate until 2025 despite the gaming operations closure on December 31,2024, because they still need to attend to some important matters.
Meanwhile, Sen. Raffy Tulfo said the President had been deceived as he divulged that amid his total ban order, the 12 Stars International—a POGO located in ASEANA, Parañaque—is still operating. The said POGO occupies the 5th to 11th floor of a building.
The 8th and 9th floor of the building is for the licensee of PAGCOR and the remaining floors are for the illegal operations. Tulfo also said PAGCOR has a satellite office on the 11th floor.
But Tengco noted that the President was not scammed with this POGO operation as his deadline is set until the end of 2024. He said they have assigned personnel to watch POGOs 24/7 instead of just sending inspectors. He promised to check on the POGO hub mentioned by Tulfo.
