Philippine President Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Jr. has immediately ended the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) program.
At a State of the Nation address earlier this year, Marcos made the announcement and received a standing ovation from his colleagues. Marcos said, “The grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop.”
The POGO program was first launched in 2003 under former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo but was extended in 2016 under Rodrigo Duterte. Once the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the program was once again extended to help assist with revenue while public gatherings were limited. The program sparked backlash after public restrictions were lifted, and it became known that illegal sites were operating without a POGO license under the guise that they were legit.
Over the years, illegal operators have been linked to all sorts of heinous crimes involving kidnapping, human trafficking, and more. Senators and prominent business people have asked President Marcos to end the program. China even chimed in and asked the Philippines to stop accepting Chinese players.
Now that the POGO program has been banned, the Philippines has been busy deporting illegal workers and cracking down on illegal operators.
Is Online Gambling Legal In The Philippines Now That POGO’s Have Ended?
Philippine gambling laws allow all forms of online gambling except for online cockfighting betting. Domestic casinos in the Philippines can operate online but can no longer offer their services outside of the country.
Online casinos that service the Philippines have been allowed to accept PH players since the early 2000s and often offer bigger bonuses, more casino games, and better rewards programs.
Are Online Casinos Better Than Domestic Casinos?
In our opinion, online casinos are more convenient, but nothing beats a Vegas-style gaming resort. While there are many perks to gambling online in the Philippines, it is in the eye of the beholder to determine which option is better.
Online, you will find a more extensive selection of slot titles and more variations of popular tabletop games. You can also find live dealer games via a video/audio feed, but it lacks the feel of a real casino table. However, one of the best online gambling options is the acceptance of cryptocurrency. Today, multiple sites have incorporated Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and other popular altcoins.