President Marcos reaffirmed that whether or not Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) are under the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), they are banned.
Marcos stressed that it is the nature of the operation that the government is banning through an Executive Order he recently signed, formalizing his earlier order for the immediate ban of POGOs, internet gaming, and other offshore gaming operations in the country.
"Not – no, no. Not operated – hindi (not) under the authority of Pagcor. They cannot," Marcos said, allaying concerns that EO No. 74 contained loopholes that may allow their continued operations inside casinos and freeports.
"There is just no way because it’s the nature of the operation that we are banning. It’s not because it’s under Pagcor or not. Basta’t sinabing – basta’t POGO ‘yan, basta’t ganyan ang lisensya nila (As long as that is POGO, if that's what on their license), it’s banned," Marcos stressed.
Marcos also said that there is no need to create a separate law for this matter, saying that "the EO is sufficient."
The alleged loopholes were recently raised by Senator Risa Hontiveros, citing that the Pagcor-operated and -licensed casinos are exempted from the ban on operating offshore online games of chance.
EO 74 covers POGOs, internet gaming licensee (IGL), and offshore gaming operations and services exclusive and directly offered to foreign players outside the Philippines via online means such as live-streamed electronic casino (e-casino) games, online random number generator (RNG) games, and online sports betting.
The EO does not cover online games of chance conducted by casinos operated by Pagcor, licensed casinos, or integrated resorts with junket agreements.