Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has enacted Republic Act (RA) 12312, effectively banning Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and declaring all related activities illegal. The signing of the Anti-POGO Act of 2025 marks a significant shift in the country’s stance on offshore gaming, which was previously legalized under RA 11590.
According to Philippines News Agency, RA 12312 underscores the state’s commitment to maintaining peace, protecting life and property, and promoting general welfare. The law explicitly prohibits the establishment and operation of offshore gaming in the Philippines, as well as the acceptance of bets, provision of gaming content, creation of POGO hubs, and possession of gaming paraphernalia.
The new legislation mandates the permanent cancellation of all licenses previously issued for POGO operations. Moreover, all Alien Employment Permits and work-related visas granted to POGO workers by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) have been revoked. The law ensures that foreign nationals with cancelled visas will be deported to their countries of birth or citizenship.
RA 12312 holds all POGOs and related service providers accountable for taxes and regulatory fees up to the cessation of their operations. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is tasked with auditing these entities to assess any outstanding tax liabilities. Additionally, DOLE is directed to develop transition plans for Filipinos affected by the ban, in collaboration with various government agencies.
The law also establishes an Administrative Oversight Committee, chaired by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, to oversee the ban’s implementation. The committee is required to submit a compliance report to the Office of the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives within a year of the law’s effectivity.
Violators of RA 12312 face severe penalties, including imprisonment and hefty fines. Public officials found guilty face the maximum penalty, while foreign offenders will be deported and barred from re-entering the Philippines after serving their sentences. The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Senator Risa Hontiveros welcomed the passage of the law, describing it as a necessary correction to past policies that permitted POGOs to exploit individuals and institutions. She acknowledged the efforts of law enforcement agencies and whistleblowers in exposing the industry’s abuses, including trafficking and scams linked to POGOs.
