The bill to institutionalize the ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) has moved to the Senate plenary on Monday.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian introduced Senate Bill 2868, known as the proposed Anti-POGO Act of 2024, which includes the committee report 342 crafted by the Senate ways and means committee.Â
Gatchalian explained that the bill aims to permanently end POGO operations in the Philippines and is in line with the Executive Order issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He emphasized that the bill would ensure the prohibition remains in effect beyond the current administration.
Gatchalian highlighted that the proposed law outlines clear provisions to terminate offshore gaming in the country, with the goal of ensuring that no individual or entity can operate or offer offshore gaming within Philippine territory starting January 1st, 2025.
The bill also prohibits and penalizes a range of activities related to POGOs, including the establishment, operation, or conduct of offshore gaming, accepting bets linked to these operations, providing gaming content or services for POGOs, operating a POGO hub or site, and possessing gaming equipment related to offshore gaming. The law further stipulates that all POGO-related licenses will be revoked by December 31st, 2024.

In the plenary session, Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros reiterated the need for a law that would permanently expel and ban POGOs from the Philippines. She emphasized that Senate Bill 2868 would effectively end POGO operations in the country.
Hontiveros criticized POGOs for promising jobs and benefits, but delivering instead harm and security risks. She reaffirmed her longstanding opposition to POGOs, saying that their operations have brought deception and danger to Filipinos and undermined national order.
The senator also pledged to introduce amendments to the bill to impose harsher penalties on government officials who assist or allow the continuation of POGO operations.