Marcos signs law making Pogo ban permanent

MANILA, Philippines, October 31 ------ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure banning all offshore gaming operations in the Philippines, as well as other related activities. Republic Act No. 12312, also known as the Anti-Pogo Act of 2025, was signed into law by the President on Oct. 23 but was published only on Oct. 29.

The new law makes permanent the executive order Marcos issued on Nov. 5 last year that imposed an immediate ban on all Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the country. In his third State of the Nation Address in July 2024, Marcos announced the official ban on Pogos, citing the social costs and threats to national security the industry had spawned.

Pogos were given until the end of that year to cease operations. Republic Act No. 12312 repealed RA 11590, the law that taxed Pogos and their service providers and authorized their operations in the country, signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2021. Under the new law, work permits and visas of all individuals engaged in offshore gaming operations — or employed by Pogos, Pogo gaming content providers, and Pogo-accredited service providers—are declared canceled.

Also, all Pogos and Pogo-related entities “shall continue to be liable for all taxes, duties, regulatory fees, and all other charges up to the last day of their operations, which are due and payable to the government arising from or in connection to their operations,” said the law. Moreover, any act, omission, series, or combination of violations shall constitute “unlawful activity” under Republic Act No. 9160, or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001. The new law prohibits any person or entity from “recruiting, obtaining, hiring, providing, offering, transporting, transferring, maintaining, harboring, or receiving any Filipino or foreign national” for employment in offshore gaming operations in the country.

Source: inquirer.net