The Makabayan bloc lawmakers in the House of Representatives have filed a bill to address the proliferation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) and their alleged connection to illegal activities.
The proposed Anti-Pogo Act of 2024 aims to revoke all POGO licenses and ban future Pogo operations.
If enacted, the bill would prohibit various acts related to POGOs, including facilitating offshore gaming, accepting bets for offshore gaming, and creating POGO hubs within the Philippines.
The bill emphasizes the need to protect Filipino families and communities from the social costs associated with Pogos.
Additionally, the bill makes POGO operations a predicate crime for money laundering and human trafficking offenses, with penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and P10 million in fines.
The move to ban POGOs has gained ground, but it remains to be seen how the bill will be discussed in Congress, given other proposed measures seeking to ban POGOs.
