Marcos signs Anti-POGO Act of 2025
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has officially institutionalized the total ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators by signing Republic Act No. 12312, also known as the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, on Oct. 23.
The new law repeals the previous measure that legalized and taxed POGOs, declaring as illegal the establishment, operation, or conduct of offshore gaming, as well as the creation of POGO hubs or sites within the Philippines.
“The State recognizes that the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are paramount for the meaningful enjoyment of democracy. The State likewise values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights,” it said.
Under the law, the acceptance of any form of betting for offshore gaming operations, as well as serving as a POGO gaming content or service provider within the country, is also prohibited.
The law also states that the introduction, use, or possession of POGO gaming equipment or paraphernalia is prohibited in the Philippines.
Other prohibitions include aiding, protecting, or abetting the conduct of any act or activity, such as: registering companies used to conceal offshore gaming operations; providing any kind of spurious identification cards, birth certificates, passports, licenses, and permits in support of offshore gaming operations; and leasing, subleasing, using, or allowing the use of any house, building, tourism enterprise, or similar establishment; any vehicle or carrier by land, sea, and air.
The Anti-POGO Act also withdraws, revokes, and cancels work permits and visas issued to anyone engaged in POGO. Those with canceled visas will be deported to their country of birth or citizenship.
Those found violating the law face penalties. A first offense carries an imprisonment term of 6 to 8 years and a fine between P300,000 and P15 million, at the court's discretion.
A second offense results in 8 to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine ranging from P15 million to P30 million. Finally, a third offense may lead to 10 to 12 years in prison and a fine of P30 million to P50 million.
"If the offender is a public official or employee, the maximum of the applicable penalty shall be imposed," it said, adding that they would be "dismissed from employment and perpetually disqualified to be elected, appointed, and employed in any government office."
"If the guilty officer is an alien, he or she shall be summarily deported after serving the sentence and forever barred from re-entering the Philippines," it added.
During his 2024 State of the Nation Address, Marcos stressed that it’s time to put an end to the "grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws'' by POGO hubs in the country.
In November 2024, he issued Executive Order No. 74 that will cease all illegal offshore gaming operations, license applications, license renewals, and cessation of operations by Nov. 8.