With less than two weeks remaining until the complete wind-down of all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operations in the country, the Philippines’ largest POGO facility, located at the former Island Cove resort in Kawit town, Cavite province, was officially shut down on Tuesday.
Speaking to local media, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairperson Alejandro Tengco confirmed that all POGO hubs across the country have now been closed. While he acknowledged that the nationwide ban on POGOs would result in an estimated PHP20 billion ($339 million) in lost government revenue, he expressed hope that the issuance of new gaming licenses would help mitigate the financial shortfall.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, PAGCOR Chairperson Alejandro Tengco, and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil led the formal closure of the facility.
The POGO facility, situated on a 33-hectare property, was the largest of its kind in the country, employing 30,000 workers, half of whom were Filipinos. The compound consisted of 57 buildings, including employee dormitories, gaming hubs, cafés, grocery stores, a clinic, restaurants, spas, and beauty salons.
100 illegal POGOs still operating
Cruz pointed out that around 100 illegal or “guerrilla” POGO operations are currently active across the country, with local authorities collaborating closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to locate and shut them down. He noted that numerous red flags suggest areas where POGO operations may still be taking place. Authorities have been working with local government units (LGUs) and the PNP to pinpoint these locations.
Cruz also emphasized that the PNP and PAGCOR will conduct inspections of special class Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) facilities to ensure no POGO hubs are operating covertly. He cautioned that signs such as houses with lights on 24/7, the presence of foreign nationals, frequent food deliveries, and additional internet connections could indicate illegal POGO activities.
PNP Chief Marbil assured that authorities are intensifying efforts to target illegal POGO operations. He explained that the Task Force Skimmer, which includes the Anti-Cybercrime Group, is actively monitoring these operations. The task force tracks the number of individuals involved and keeps a close watch on foreign nationals linked to these illegal activities.
