Philippines lays out new joint strategy to shut down POGOs
The Philippines has announced a new joint strategy to shut down remaining offshore gaming operations in the country, with departments joining hands to tackle the issue.
As reported by local media, multiple government agencies signed a new standard operating procedure (SOP) on 22 April 2026, calling for a unified approach to implement the ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). The industry had expanded rapidly in recent years but had also drawn increasing scrutiny over links to fraud, human trafficking and money laundering.
The move follows Executive Order 74, issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in November 2025, which ordered the immediate shutdown of POGOs. This was later reinforced by Republic Act 12312, signed in February 2026, providing a stronger legal basis for enforcement.
Final nail in the POGO era
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto described the SOP as the “final nail” in ending the POGO era, as it brings multiple agencies together under a single enforcement plan.
The framework outlines clear steps for intelligence sharing, coordinated raids, and evidence handling, while also strengthening the preparation of cases for prosecution. Officials say the focus is not only on shutting down operations, but also on ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.
A key part of the strategy is targeting financial networks. Authorities will track and freeze assets linked to illegal operations to disrupt the flow of money behind them. The Anti-Money Laundering Council will monitor suspicious transactions, while the Securities and Exchange Commission will investigate shell companies used to conceal ownership.
Coordination across agencies will be led by the Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission, with prosecutors from the Department of Justice involved from the early stages of investigations. Authorities say this approach is expected to improve conviction rates by strengthening cases from the outset.
The SOP also includes measures to protect victims. The Department of Social Welfare and Development will assist individuals rescued from illegal operations, particularly those who may have been trafficked. Officials have said these individuals will be treated as victims rather than offenders, with access to witness protection where necessary.
The framework has also been shaped with input from international partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, reflecting the cross-border nature of these operations.
Enforcement efforts come after a sharp decline in the number of licenced operators. By mid-2024, there were around 60 licenced POGOs in the country, but this fell to just seven by 17 December 2024, with authorities expecting the number to reach zero by the end of that year.
Over 22K workers departed
Estimates from July 2024 put the number at over 40 licenced offshore operators, alongside a large pool of illegal setups. By June, authorities had already flagged more than 300 illegal POGO hubs. After the 31 December 2024 deadline kicked in, about 22,609 POGO workers exited the country, while another 11,000 were lined up for deportation.
Officials know the game doesn’t end there. Some operators are expected to resurface under new names or shift setups to stay under the radar. That’s exactly why the new framework isn’t static, it’s built to keep up as tactics change.
Instead of just shutting down one hub at a time, the focus now is bigger: break the entire network that keeps these operations running, from finances to logistics. The coordinated approach marks one of the most comprehensive efforts so far to address illegal offshore gambling in the country.
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