PAGCOR to ban POGO hubs in latest effort to clean up Philippines offshore gaming industry
Friday 12 de July 2024 / 12:00
2 minutos de lectura
(Manila).- Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR will ban POGO hubs as part of its efforts to clean up the nation’s controversial offshore gaming industry.
Speaking at a Senate inquiry into POGOs on Wednesday, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said that although he couldn’t guarantee that bad actors would no longer look to engage in illegal activities, the regulator would look to make such activities more difficult by banning hubs and increasing monitoring of the 43 companies that currently hold offshore gaming licenses – now known as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs).
“We’re coming out with certain guidelines. We’re already banning hubs,” Tengco said, as reported by the Inquirer.
“In the meantime, there is no order for closure but I can inform everybody that we will not allow any hub existing or going to be applied for. We will not approve it anymore because we want [IGLs] to be site specific and building specific.”
The concept of self-contained POGO hubs was introduced in 2019 under the previous PAGCOR regime, with the regulator stating at that time that such hubs would make POGOs easier to regulate while also limiting interactions between Chinese workers and local Filipinos.
However, the hubs themselves have become highly controversial following a series of raids amid reports of illegal activities, most recently at a hub in Pampanga last month said to be involved in human trafficking.
According to Tengco, PAGCOR will have round the clock teams monitoring its licensed IGLs.
“Hopefully that can deter, hopefully if we notice anything, we can immediately report it to the police, he said.
“But it’s difficult for me to say in this hall and in front of everyone here that this will be the last [incident] because if there is really a criminal intent, then I can no longer monitor it.”
Categoría:Others
Tags: Sin tags
País: Philippines
Región: Asia
Event
ICE Barcelona 2026
19 de January 2026
Nadia Popova from EGT on ICE Barcelona 2026:"The new concept of our stand made a strong impression on visitors"
(Barcelona, SoloAzar Exclusive).- In this post-event interview from Barcelona, Nadia Popova, EGT’s Chief Revenue Officer and VP Sales & Marketing shares insights on the company’s standout presence, its “All eyes on us” stand concept, key product highlights, and the strategic partnerships forged at ICE Barcelona 2026.
Friday 20 Feb 2026 / 12:00
Luz Beatriz Jaramillo Serna of 21Viral: “Our presence at ICE Barcelona 2026 was exceptionally positive”
(Barcelona, SoloAzar Exclusive).- Following her participation at ICE Barcelona 2026, Luz Beatriz Jaramillo Serna, Head of Business Development, Marketing and Sales for Latin America at 21Viral, analyzes the commercial impact of the event, the trends set to shape the industry’s direction, and the company’s strategic priorities to consolidate growth across the region and new regulated markets.
Monday 16 Feb 2026 / 12:00
Toni Karapetrov from Habanero on ICE Barcelona 2026: Regulated Growth, Localization and Strategic Expansion Drive 2026 iGaming Strategy
(Barcelona, Exclusive SoloAzar).- In this interview, Toni Karapetrov, Head of Corporate Communications at Habanero, shares insights from ICE Barcelona 2026, highlighting premium content innovation, high-level industry engagement, key iGaming trends such as localization and gamification, and the company’s strategic focus on regulated market expansion and sustainable growth in 2026.
Friday 13 Feb 2026 / 12:00
SUSCRIBIRSE
Para suscribirse a nuestro newsletter, complete sus datos
Reciba todo el contenido más reciente en su correo electrónico varias veces al mes.