President Marcos Urged to Cancel Licenses of Chinese POGOs

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. faces increasing pressure to cancel the licenses of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) that cater to mainland Chinese players. This urgent call is underscored by concerns from various civic groups and prominent figures, emphasizing both legal and ethical issues.

A three-page open letter urges the President to take decisive action and to “direct Pagcor to cancel immediately all licenses of POGOs that cater to the mainland Chinese market.” The letter also points out that the Chinese Embassy in Manila has already requested the Philippine government to ban POGOs targeting Chinese nationals, citing that all forms of gambling, including online and overseas gambling, are illegal under Chinese law.

The letter was signed by the groups 1Sambayan, EveryWoman, Women2022, and Intercessors of the Philippines, alongside notable alumni from the University of the Philippines-College of Law including retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, former executive secretary Oscar Orbos, and former senator Richard Gordon.

The letter points out that granting licenses to Chinese POGOs violates the Internet Gaming Regulations of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), which explicitly prohibit gaming websites from being accessed within the Philippines or in regions where online gaming is banned. Regulation 8, Section 1(h) of Pagcor’s Internet Gaming Regulations states that any license granted based on misrepresentation or false information should be immediately canceled, with a ten-year ban imposed on holding such a license.

Adding to the legal arguments, the groups and signatories of the letter argue that many Chinese-operated POGOs are run by criminal syndicates. These operations are reportedly involved in various illicit activities, including torture, sex trafficking, the use of fake documents, tax evasion, and bribery of government officials. They emphasize that there is no legal, moral, economic, or social justification for allowing these POGOs to continue operating in the Philippines.

The call to ban Chinese POGOs is not only supported by civic groups but also by lawmakers and civil society organizations. Recent law enforcement raids have uncovered illegal activities tied to offshore gaming operations, further fueling the demand for a ban. The National Economic and Development Authority has expressed support for the ban despite potential economic losses estimated at P20 billion.

As President Marcos prepares for his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, there is widespread hope among senators and the public that he will announce a total ban on POGOs catering to the Chinese market. This decisive action would align with the Chinese Embassy’s appeal and address the multiple legal and ethical concerns raised by various stakeholders.

1Sambayan, EveryWoman, Women2022, and Intercessors of the Philippines have also called on the public to back the move to ban Chinese POGOs, highlighting the broader societal implications and the need for collective action to safeguard the country’s legal and moral standards.