Calls for Total iGaming Ban Resurface in the Philippines

Illegal online gambling remains a major challenge in the Philippines despite government crackdowns and regulatory measures. Senator Risa Hontiveros has once again called for a total iGaming ban, urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to outlaw online casino activities completely.

Despite the government’s Executive Order No. 74, which mandated the shutdown of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), illegal gambling networks continue to operate under new disguises. Law enforcement struggles to dismantle them, and the consequences are severe—ranging from fraud to human trafficking.

With the rise of underground gambling hubs, will a total ban finally eradicate illicit operations, or will it simply push them further into the shadows?

Philippines Faces Renewed Calls for a Total iGaming Ban Amid Rising Illegal Gambling Networks

A Growing Crisis: Will the Philippines Finally Shut Down Online Gambling?

Key Takeaways:

✅ Senator Hontiveros renews calls for a full iGaming ban to combat illegal operations.
✅ POGO shutdowns have not fully eradicated illicit gambling networks, with many operators rebranding to evade detection.
✅ Human trafficking, fraud, and organized crime remain tied to illegal online gambling activities.

POGO Shutdowns Have Not Stopped Illegal Gambling

The Philippine government officially banned POGOs in December 2023 with Executive Order No. 74. However, shutting down these operations has been more difficult than expected.

🔹 Operators Have Rebranded: Many former POGOs continue to operate under new names, making enforcement more challenging.
🔹 Foreign Nationals Still Active: Over 11,000 former POGO workers remain in the country, running small-scale online gambling hubs.
🔹 Law Enforcement Faces Barriers: Many illegal operators have relocated to provinces with weaker law enforcement oversight.

Hontiveros argues that the current approach is not enough. She believes that only a full legislative ban on iGaming can permanently dismantle illegal gambling operations.

“We need stronger action, not just executive orders that criminals continue to bypass,” she stated.

New Threats: Human Trafficking and Organized Crime

Beyond illegal gambling, human trafficking and fraud have become serious concerns. Criminal groups linked to former POGO operations have expanded into other illegal activities, including:

🔸 Forced Labor Schemes: Filipinos are lured with promises of overseas jobs but are forced into online scam hubs in Southeast Asia.
🔸 Kidnappings and Ransom Crimes: A 14-year-old Chinese student was recently kidnapped, and his finger was severed in a ransom demand. Authorities suspect former POGO links.
🔸 Scam Networks Resurfacing: Fraudulent text message scams, once declining, are now making a comeback, suggesting that illegal networks are regaining strength.

Despite major police raids, including the arrest of 450 individuals in Manila, criminal organizations continue to adapt and evade authorities.

The PAGCOR Loophole: A Breeding Ground for Illicit Activity?

One of the biggest loopholes in the current system is the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which allows licensed casinos to operate under junket agreements.

🔹 Hontiveros warns that illegal operators might use PAGCOR’s system as a cover for underground gambling.
🔹 Some operators are believed to be working within PAGCOR-regulated casinos, making law enforcement efforts even harder.
🔹 Key figures in POGO operations remain in the country, orchestrating these new schemes.

If PAGCOR does not tighten its regulatory oversight, the risk of criminal infiltration within the legal gambling industry remains high.

What’s Next for Online Gambling in the Philippines?

The Philippine government faces a critical decision:

✔ Should they implement a total iGaming ban, as Senator Hontiveros demands?
✔ Can they strengthen law enforcement and PAGCOR regulations to prevent criminal activity?
✔ Will offshore operators continue to exploit loopholes, despite increasing crackdowns?

With high-profile crimes and ongoing scams, the pressure is mounting. The coming months will determine whether lawmakers finally outlaw online gambling or attempt new strategies to regulate the industry more effectively.

One thing is clear: illegal gambling networks are not giving up without a fight.