Escudero said in a Monday statement that they banned the POGOs because it involved foreign gamblers, who lost money, became addicted, and had their families affected: “We banned them. But we allowed PIGOs, where Filipinos, not foreigners, are the ones gambling.”

He warned that while POGOs have been shut down, some may have simply rebranded as PIGOs to continue operations.

"The ones losing money now are Filipinos, not foreigners. Former POGO operations are likely hiding behind PIGOs", he added. 

Escudero noted that PIGO operations have largely escaped scrutiny, despite the controversies surrounding POGOs. He argued that the same issues raised against offshore gambling could also apply to local online gambling, warranting equal or greater concern.

“We need to review this because the very problems we tried to avoid—abuses, loopholes, and harmful consequences—also exist in PIGOs. The difference is, now, it affects our countrymen", he said. 

Escudero urged the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to conduct a thorough and transparent review of PIGOs to assess their true costs and benefits.

“How much do we win here?” . And like the questions we ask in relation with POGO, "is it worth it?" he questioned.

If evidence shows that PIGOs are harming Filipinos, particularly those with low incomes, Escudero believes the government should consider a ban similar to POGOs.

“I know PAGCOR gets a lot of money here. This is a big source of revenue from the government, but if they are giving up the big revenue from POGO, there is no reason why they can't also give up the big revenue from PIGO if it is really hurting our countrymen, which I think it is”, he said.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte previously ordered the closure of e-sabong (online cockfighting) after several individuals involved in the industry went missing.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. later banned POGOs due to their links to crimes such as human trafficking, illegal detention, and financial scams.

At least two Senate bills have been filed seeking a total ban on online gambling.