Philippines President Marcos signs Executive Order officially banning POGOs

Friday, November 8, 2024 12:11 PM
  • Philippines
  • Ben Blaschke, Inside Asian Gaming

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has officially signed the Executive Order banning the nation’s offshore gaming industry, widely known as POGO.

Titled “Immediate Ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming, Internet Gaming, and Other Offshore Gaming Operations in the Philippines”, Executive Order No. 74 was signed by President Marcos on 5 November and published in the Official Gazette Friday – confirming the ban first announced by him during a State of the Nation Address in July.

The Executive Order clarifies that applications for new licenses, permits or authorizations under the nation’s POGO and Internet Gaming Licensee (IGL) schemes will no longer be allowed; that all existing licenses, permits or authorizations will no longer be renewed or extended; and that all existing offshore gaming operations and their auxiliary services must completely cease operations on or before 31 December 2024.