Philippines to revoke all POGO licenses by Dec. 15

The Philippine government will revoke all remaining licenses for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) by Dec. 15, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said.

PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro Tengco said the move follows an order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to phase out POGO operations nationwide.  

“I reported to the president that by Dec. 15, all POGO licenses will be canceled,” Tengco said in a press briefing at the presidential palace. “There will also be no renewal of permits for 2025.”  

Tengco clarified that former operators must now coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration to downgrade their workers’ visas.  

Since President Marcos announced a ban on POGOs during his State of the Nation Address, PAGCOR has significantly reduced the number of licensed operators from more than 300 to just seven.  

POGOs, which have been linked to issues like human trafficking and organized crime, have faced increased scrutiny in recent years.