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Zubiri: China to blacklist countries that allow offshore gaming to protect its own citizens from crime

Philippines | National

Zubiri: China to blacklist countries that allow offshore gaming to protect its own citizens from crime

By Hannah L. Torregoza

China is blacklisting some countries from tourism particularly those that allow offshore gaming operations to protect their citizens from getting involved in crimes.

SENATE RECEIVES CHINESE AMBASSADOR: Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, together with Senators Win Gatchalian and Robinhood Padilla welcome H.E. Huang Xilian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Philippines at the Senate on 10 October 2022. (O/S Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri)

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said this was relayed to him by Chinese Ambassador Juang Xilian during the latter’s courtesy call in the Senate.

Zubiri said the envoy reiterated the Chinese government’s official position on the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) which is now being investigated by the Senate.

“The Ambassador said that countries that allow POGO operations will be blacklisted for tourism to protect their citizen from possible crime,” he said.

The ambassador had also said that Chinese citizens are being warned not to go to countries with POGO operations, so that means it must be a current directive, according to Zubiri.

The Chinese government is against any forms of gambling including POGO or online gambling, but POGOs operations are allowed in the Philippines.

The Senate leader also said that the ambassador pointed to the difficulty of regulating online transactions based on their experience that is why they decided to totally ban online gambling as well.

Zubiri also said Huang also mentioned that based on their assessment, Chinese POGO owners and operators are likely to be connected in syndicated crimes and illegal activities, thus, they are also wanted in China.

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