PAGCOR Exposes Disinformation Campaign on POGO Termination

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) recently addressed a disinformation campaign involving a fake memorandum allegedly ordering the immediate shutdown of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). This false directive has been circulating among local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila, which could cause confusion within the gaming industry.

Atty. Jessa Mariz Fernandez, head of PAGCOR’s Offshore Gaming Licensing Department, clarified the situation, stating that the purported memo, dated July 26, was a forged version of a legitimate memorandum issued three days earlier. The legitimate memo, sent on July 23 following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), outlined the government’s plan to wind down POGO operations by the end of the year. However, it did not call for an immediate termination.

“We have not issued a memorandum ordering LGUs to immediately close down POGO operations in their jurisdiction because the President’s order is very clear: We have until the end of the year to wind down POGO operations, and we will follow that,” Atty. Fernandez emphasized.

The fraudulent memo misinformed select LGUs that POGO operations must cease “within the first week of August,” a move that PAGCOR denounces as a clear attempt to sow chaos and confusion. “Whoever is behind this clearly has ulterior motives, and we shall ask the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate and unmask them to determine their motives,” Fernandez asserted.

PAGCOR’s legitimate communication on July 23 informed Internet Gaming Licensees and service providers that operations could continue in a “status quo” state until the process for winding down was fully established. The directive followed President Marcos Jr.’s announcement during his SONA on July 22, where he declared the forthcoming ban on all IGLs, commonly referred to as POGOs.

Reiterating PAGCOR’s stance, Fernandez advised LGUs that licensed IGLs would remain operational until a formal process for their phased closure is finalized. The gaming regulator continues to work on detailing this procedure, aiming for a smooth and orderly transition as per the President’s timeline.

Source: Pagcor.ph