The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has padlocked a licencee of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) and its service provider for alleged non-registration.
BIR Deputy Commissioner for Operations Arnel SD. Guballa identified the establishments as Imperial Choice Limited and service provider Aplus Accel located at Burgundy Corporate Tower, Sen. Gil Puyat St., Makati City.
A POGO licencee operates the online game and the service provider handles the technical services such as the live streaming of the games.
"They will remain closed until the registration requirements are complied with, including the payment of the corresponding taxes and penalties," Guballa said.
He said they are still finalizing the tax liabilities of the gambling companies.
The BIR Task Force POGO recommended the closure as part of its operations to collect all taxes from POGOs.
Under Revenue Regulations 20-202, non-registration of a business is considered a fraudulent act that warrants automatic closure.