PAGCOR to ban POGO hubs in latest effort to clean up Philippines offshore gaming industry
Friday 12 de July 2024 / 12:00
⏱ 2 min read
(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
PERU GAMING SHOW – PGS 2026
17 de June 2026
Reusable Identity and Smoother Access: JUMIO’s Approach at Peru Gaming Show 2026
(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- Peru Gaming Show (PGS) 2026 hosted the conference “Reusable Identity: Less Friction, More Play – How to Simplify Player Access,” led by Pilar Pereira, Director of Strategic Alliances at JUMIO. She explained how the evolution of digital identity is transforming user experiences on online betting platforms amid strong global growth in the sector.
Friday 03 Jul 2026 / 12:00
Andres Troelsen: "Peru remains one of EGT Digital's strategic markets in LATAM"
(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- Following his participation in the Peru Gaming Show, Andres Troelsen, Regional Sales Director LATAM of EGT Digital, reflects on the company's priorities in the region, the evolving demands of operators, and the opportunities emerging across the Latin American gaming market for EGT Digital.
Friday 03 Jul 2026 / 12:00
Gaming Taxation in Latin America: Experts Warn of Excessive Levies
(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- As part of the Peru Gaming Show (PGS) 2026, the panel “Taxation: Gaming Taxes in Latin America” brought together leading specialists to analyze the fiscal challenges facing the gaming industry in the region. Moderated by Carlos Fonseca, the discussion featured Tomás García Botta (MF Estudio) and Carlos Baeza (Baeza & Cía.). The experts agreed that excessive tax burdens not only discourage investment but also reduce channeling toward the regulated market and foster the growth of illegal offerings in various Latin American countries.
Wednesday 01 Jul 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.
