Philippines officially enacts law permanently banning offshore gaming operations
Summary
The Philippines has enacted Republic Act 12312, the “Anti-POGO Act of 2025”, which permanently bans Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs). President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the law, repealing RA 11590 and cancelling all existing POGO licences. The Act outlaws establishing or operating offshore gaming, accepting offshore bets, creating POGO hubs, and possessing related gaming equipment.
The law creates an Administrative Oversight Committee led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission to enforce the ban, directs the Bureau of Internal Revenue to audit and collect outstanding taxes from former operators, and mandates the revocation of visas and work permits for foreign POGO employees with deportation to follow. Penalties include six to eight years’ imprisonment and fines up to PhP15 million for a first offence, rising to 12 years and PhP50 million for repeat violations; public officials face maximum penalties and foreign offenders are subject to deportation and permanent re-entry bans.
The Act institutionalises Executive Order No. 74 (Nov 2024), which had already halted new licences and required POGOs to cease by end-2024. The Senate passed the bill as Senate Bill No. 2868 on 9 June 2025 and the House adopted it shortly after, before it was signed into law this month.
Key Points
- RA 12312 (Anti-POGO Act of 2025) permanently bans all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations and repeals RA 11590.
- All existing POGO licences are cancelled and new offshore gaming activity is prohibited nationwide.
- An Administrative Oversight Committee, chaired by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, will enforce the ban.
- The Bureau of Internal Revenue is tasked with auditing and collecting outstanding taxes and fees from former operators.
- Foreign workers linked to POGOs will have visas and work permits revoked and will be deported; repeat offenders face prison and large fines.
- The law formalises President Marcos Jr.’s earlier Executive Order No. 74 that stopped new licences and ordered POGOs to close by December 31, 2024.
Why should I read this?
If you work in gaming, regulation, compliance, or regional investment, this changes the map — permanently. The Philippines has just pulled the plug on an entire offshore vertical, with heavy penalties and deportations. It’s a must-see if you want to understand shifting risk, tax recovery efforts, and enforcement direction in Southeast Asia. If you’re short on time: yes, it matters — and yes, you should read the details if you have exposure to the market.
