The Philippine government has approved a set of interagency rules to formalise implementation of its ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), in a move officials described as the definitive end of the sector.
The standard operating procedures (SOPs), agreed by multiple government bodies, are said to provide a consolidated framework for enforcing the prohibition powers under the Anti-POGO Act of 2025 and earlier executive directives. The rules outline coordination across law enforcement, intelligence gathering, prosecution and asset recovery, according to official statements.
The Philippine News Agency stated the SOPs consolidate the two POGO ban orders, along with 15 other laws and department orders, into “one omnibus action plan,” covering intelligence gathering, operations, evidence handling, prosecution, and asset preservation.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, who witnessed the signing, said the authorities would ensure there would be no revival of offshore gaming operations in the country.
POGOs had been a regulated sector since 2016, catering primarily to offshore gamblers. The industry later came under scrutiny amid reports linking some operators to criminal activities, prompting a policy shift toward prohibition.
The Philippines leader, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, signed an order in November 2024 banning offshore gaming operations in the country, citing national security and public order concerns.
The ban was implemented by December 2024, but the prohibition was only institutionalised through legislation in 2025, making all offshore gaming operations illegal.
Officials have said licensed operators had already ceased operations prior to the issuance of the SOPs, with enforcement now focused on illegal activities and preventing any re-emergence of the sector.
The government said the coordinated rules are intended to ensure consistent enforcement nationwide, while also supporting affected individuals through inter-agency cooperation on victim assistance and case handling.
