Less than half of foreign POGO workers downgraded visas before October 15 deadline

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) of the Philippines has reported a significant shift in the status of foreign workers within the Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) sector. Out of over 30,000 foreign employees registered under POGOs, only about 12,000 have opted to downgrade their work visas to temporary visitor visas. This voluntary downgrade allows these individuals to legally remain in the country for up to 59 days, giving them time to wrap up their affairs.

The deadline for this voluntary visa downgrade was set for October 15, and the government has made it clear that no extensions will be granted. This marks a pivotal moment in the government’s efforts to regulate the POGO industry, which has come under scrutiny for various reasons, including concerns over illegal employment practices and the impact on local communities.

“Because of the closure of the big [POGO] companies, there are lots of employees that formed smaller backyard online gaming scan hubs located in resorts or residential areas, among other places that are not noticeable. That’s the focus of our operations now. We are confident that we will be able to arrest more by December 31,” Immigration spokesman Dana Sandoval was quoted as saying in a report published by the Manila Times.

With the deadline now past, the BI, in collaboration with other government agencies, is preparing to intensify its enforcement actions against foreign workers who have not complied with the visa regulations. Many of these non-compliant workers are believed to be operating in smaller, less conspicuous online gaming hubs, which often are located in resorts or residential areas. These operations have evaded previous scrutiny, making them a prime target for the government’s renewed efforts.

The urgency of the situation is underscored by the BI’s announcement that it aims to take decisive action by December 31. Foreign workers who continue to operate without proper documentation will face arrest and deportation proceedings. This firm stance is part of a broader strategy to bring the POGO sector into compliance with national laws and regulations.

In response to the challenges posed by non-compliant foreign workers, the Philippine government has established a task force that includes various agencies such as the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission. This coordinated effort highlights the government’s commitment to ensuring that remaining POGO workers either regularize their status or exit the country.

The move to enforce visa regulations follows years of rapid growth in the POGO sector, which has attracted a large number of foreign workers, particularly from China. The industry has faced increasing scrutiny due to its association with illegal gambling operations and concerns about crimes such as torture allegedly committed in POGO hubs.

Read related article: How Visa Revocation Affects POGO Workers and Their Exit from the Philippines