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Ensuring The Absence of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) & Scam Hubs Nationwide

Background

Pursuant to Executive Order (EO) No. 74, Series of 2024, the National Government has mandated the immediate cessation and banning of all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO), Internet Gaming, and other related Offshore Gaming Operations in the Philippines. This action was undertaken in response to urgent calls to safeguard public welfare by addressing the pressing concerns associated with gambling activities, the proliferation of scam hubs, and other illicit activities and criminalities operating under the guise of legitimate Offshore Gaming Operations and/or conducted within their premises.

EO No. 74 is explicit that all POGOs and Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) are classified as illegal gambling activities. Applications for new licenses, permits or authorizations of POGOs, IGLs and other offshore gaming-related/auxiliary/ancillary services catering to the foregoing, shall no longer be allowed. Existing licenses, permits, or authorization issued to these organizations and other offshore gaming operators shall not be renewed or extended. Ultimately, all POGOs and IGLs shall completely cease operations, and wind up affairs on or before December 31, 2024 or earlier.

Further, Section 5 of the aforementioned issuance calls all Local Government Units (LGUs) to fully support and implement measures aimed at effectively enforcing the ban on offshore gaming services and operations within their respective jurisdictions, consistent with their power to enact ordinances intended to prevent, suppress, and impose appropriate penalties for gambling and other prohibited games of chance under Sections 447, 458, and 468 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7160, or the "Local Government Code of 1991," as amended.

It has been observed that due to the cancellation of the business permits and licenses of POGOs, a number of establishments that hosted the same have transitioned into places that engage in cyber financial fraud, posing social risks to Filipinos and Philippine residents, to which a number have fallen victims to scamming activities.

Many former operators have also scaled down to miniscule but widespread operations.

Purposes

• Strengthen the nationwide prohibition and eradication of hubs, offices, dens, or other establishments involved in POGOs, IGLs, and other offshore gaming operations without the necessary permits, licenses, or authorizations, and cyber financial fraud schemes.

• Promote preventive and proactive measures in detecting and addressing the re-emergence of former POGO or IGL hubs, dens, and offices into scam hubs.

• Supplement DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-001, relative to the closure of all IGLs and POGOs.

• Reiterate DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2024-083, on the conduct of inventory and monitoring of local online gaming operations within their respective jurisdictions.

Updates

All government officials and employees are enjoined to strictly observe and comply with the prohibition against entering or engaging in activities in gambling casinos.

The circular expressly states that the mere entry or presence of government officials and employees in gambling casinos shall be deemed as conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, unless such presence is in the performance of official duties and functions.

Any person found violating the provisions of this mc shall be held administratively and/or criminally liable in accordance with pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.

Legal Bases / References

• MC 2025 - 082 Prohibition Against Accessing Online Gambling Platforms And Or Engaging in Online Gambling

• MC 2025 - 025 Ensuring The Absence Of Philippine offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) And Scam Hubs Nationwide

• MC 2025 - 001 Closure of all Internet Gaming Licenses (IGLs) and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs)

• MC 2024 - 083 Inventory And Monitoring Of Local Online Gaming Operations

LGMED References

• R10-LGMED-2025-08-19-004 MESSAGE RE: REPORT ON THE COMPLIANCE WITH DILG MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR (MC) NO. 2025-025 ON ENSURING THE ABSENCE OF POGOS, IGLS, AND OTHER ONLINE SCAM HUBS FOR MARCH, APRIL, MAY, AND JUNE 2025

• R10-LGMED-2025-06-09-011 DISSEMINATION OF THE COMPLIANCE TO DILG MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2025-025 ON ENSURING THE ABSENCE OF POGOS, IGLS, AND OTHER ONLINE SCAM HUBS FOR APRIL 2025

• R10-LGMED-2025-05-15-007 ISSUE ON THE COMPLIANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2025-025 POGOS, IGLS, AND SCAM HUBS NATIONWIDE

• R10-LGMED-2025-05-08-006 REMINDERS FOR THE COMPLIANCE TO DILG MC 2025-025 “ENSURING THE ABSENCE OF PHILIPPINE OFFSHORE GAMING OPERATIONS (POGOS), INTERNET GAMING LICENCES (IGLS) AND SCAM HUBS”