Marcos signs law banning POGOs

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act (RA) 12312, officially banning Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and declaring their operations illegal across the country.

Signed on October 23, the Anti-POGO Act of 2025 repeals RA 11590, which previously legalized offshore gaming. The new law underscores the State’s commitment to maintaining peace and order, protecting life and property, and upholding human dignity and human rights.

“To this end, offshore gaming operations in the Philippines are hereby banned and declared unlawful,” the law stated.

Under RA 12312, it is now illegal to establish, operate, or conduct offshore gaming in the country. The prohibition also covers accepting bets, providing gaming content or services, operating POGO hubs, and possessing related equipment or paraphernalia.

The law mandates the **permanent cancellation** of all licenses previously issued to POGOs, as well as the revocation of Alien Employment Permits, visas, and work permits granted to foreign POGO workers by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and other visa-issuing agencies. The BI has been ordered to deport affected foreign nationals directly to their countries of birth or citizenship.

Despite the ban, POGOs and their service providers remain liable for taxes, fees, and other charges up to their last day of operation. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has been directed to audit their accounts and collect any outstanding liabilities.

The law also directs the DOLE to implement transition and retraining programs for Filipinos who lost their jobs due to the ban, in coordination with TESDA, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Commission on Higher Education.

To ensure proper enforcement, an **Administrative Oversight Committee** chaired by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission will oversee the implementation of the ban. It will include representatives from the DICT, DOJ, and DILG, and will submit a compliance report to the Office of the President and Congress within a year of the law’s effectivity.

Violators face imprisonment of up to eight years and fines of up to ₱15 million for the first offense; up to 10 years and ₱30 million for the second offense; and up to 12 years and ₱50 million for the third. Public officials found guilty will receive the maximum penalty, while convicted foreign nationals will be deported after serving their sentence and permanently barred from re-entry.