Philippine President Bongbong Marcos has officially signed an executive order banning POGOs (offshore gambling operators) in the country. He announced his intention to sign the law during his address to the nation in July of this year.

This latest chapter in Philippine regulation marks the next step in a “critical period” for one of Asia’s most significant gambling ecosystems, as efforts to root out offshore betting companies are set to intensify.

Measures in the law also include efforts to ensure that affected Filipino workers are not laid off as a result of the ban, with the government setting up specialized agencies to ensure that there is still room for workers in the country.

In a recent interview with CasinoBeats, KMI Group Director Keith McDonnell said that work is already underway to prepare for the formalization of this bill.

“The phased approach continues, with current POGO licensees being asked to report frequently on what they are doing to ensure they are closed by December. Meanwhile, some operators have already split their teams and are placing certain functions elsewhere to reduce business risk.

Others hope they can retain more of their highly educated and experienced workforce in the Philippines by obtaining special BPO accreditation or partnering with an outsourcing company that has one," McDonnell said.

He predicted that there is a future for gambling operators to have some presence in the Philippines as the heritage and knowledge accumulated by the country cannot be easily replaced.

“The Philippines has been a prominent location for many businesses in our industry for decades.

By introducing new measures to crack down on illegal activities by some online gaming licensees, they hoped that regulated businesses would still have the opportunity to continue and thrive while employing thousands of local knowledgeable and experienced Filipinos,” the KMI Group director added.

The Isle of Man has also set aside a budget to look into the possibility of taking in displaced operators as a result of the POGO ban in the Philippines, although it has been stated that a careful and cautious approach will be taken.

According to Isle of Man Today , a Digital IoM spokesperson said: “Following conversations with businesses operating in the island’s digital sector, it was recognised that recent regulatory changes in the Philippines affecting Filipino offshore gaming operators may present a strategic opportunity for the Isle of Man.

The blanket ban imposed by the Philippine regulator creates a significant sector displacement, meaning that legitimate and high-performing businesses operating there must seek alternative regulatory markets. Therefore, the Isle of Man, known for its robust regulatory standards in this area, can provide this alternative to those businesses that meet these high standards.”

Source