In an unprecedented step to protect Pasig City residents, mayor Vico Sotto has passed ordinance 55 to ban all forms of domestic online gambling.
Mayor Sotto told media sources that Pasig City will no longer issue permits for online gambling ventures and that those with existing permits must leave the city if they wish to continue operating in 2024.
Pasig City Ordinance 55
The Pasig City ordinance 55 governs the city’s approach to all forms of domestic online gambling, including casinos, e-sabong, bingo, online poker, and other forms.
Ordinance 55 was approved by the city council on December 15, 2022, and immediately took effect. The ordinance gave Pasig city gambling operators a year to leave the city before their licenses expired.
Ordinance 55, s-22. Existing online gambling establishments in Pasig have 1 yr (2023) to wind up operations.
New ones, including POGOs, will not be granted permits.
Thank you VM Dodot, author Coun Simon, and a majority of councilors for standing firm on your convictions.
While– pic.twitter.com/YEbVhPfUv5
— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) December 27, 2022,
PAGCOR POGO License
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is the sole regulator of the gambling industry in the Philippines. Since its formation in 1975, PAGCOR has issued licenses and collected taxes for the government.
In 2016 the government allowed PAGCOR To issue Philippine online gambling operators (POGO) licenses to domestic operators. However, POGO licenses have received much backlash in recent months, and some operators have been tied to kidnappings and human trafficking, leading to a public outcry.
Online Gambling In The Philippines
There are no Philippine gambling laws that prevent residents from gambling online. However, it is suggested that residents should only play at sites that are licensed and in compliance with trusted gambling regulators.
POGO license holders can only offer services to countries other than the Philippines. Hence, residents typically play trusted online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites outside the Philippines. To learn more about the online gambling options available in your area, see our guide to legal online gambling in the Philippines.