Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has warned that the rise of illegal gaming sites indicates ongoing vulnerabilities related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
This statement follows a public advisory from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which cautioned the public against unlicensed online gaming platforms, The Philippine News Agency reported.
Gatchalian emphasized that the fight against POGOs is far from over and called for intensified efforts involving the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Philippine National Police to block access to these illegal sites. He supports a total ban on POGOs due to their connections to criminal activity and threats to national security.
PAGCOR has identified several unauthorized platforms misusing its logo and displaying fake licenses, including sites like efesbetcasino514.com and QQ88.com. The agency reiterated that it does not issue licenses to offshore operators targeting users outside the Philippines and urged the public to verify gaming websites through official PAGCOR channels.
Gatchalian was also co-author of a new Anti-POGO Act of 2025, legislation aimed at stomping out offshore gaming activity in the nation for good.
