THE House of Representatives has approved in second reading two bills that effectively ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and Electronic Sabong (e-Sabong) operations.
House Bill (HB) 10987, the Anti-Offshore Gaming Operation Act, and HB 11254, prohibiting any activity related to online cockfighting, were both approved through viva voce voting.
POGOs were initially allowed by the previous administration, with the belief that they would contribute to the country’s economy through taxes paid by operators. However, investigations by the Quad Committee revealed that foreign nationals were using POGOs as fronts for money laundering activities, failing to pay proper taxes, and fueling various crimes including illegal drugs, kidnapping for ransom, torture, murder, human trafficking, and other heinous crimes. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. subsequently banned POGOs.
To ensure that POGOs are not revived under future administrations, the proposed legislation aims to permanently ban them, regardless of who is in power. If enacted into law, all licenses and franchises issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO), and the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) for offshore gaming operations across the country will be automatically revoked.
The anti-e-sabong bill was pushed due to concerns that it was contributing to increased gambling addiction among Filipinos, including youth, leading to financial ruin and the destruction of lives during the peak of the online cockfighting craze.
Under the proposed law, operators and officials of e-sabong websites could face up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of P5 million. Government officials found guilty would be automatically removed from their positions in addition to the aforementioned penalties.
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