The fight against illegal offshore gaming in the Philippines takes a concerning turn with new tactics emerging. According to the PAOCC, some operators now pose as legitimate BPO companies to evade detection and regulation. These tactics threaten the reputation of legitimate industries while undermining efforts to combat organized crime. Discover how the Philippines is intensifying […]
In a decisive move to address crime and social issues, the Philippines has banned all offshore gambling operations with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signing Executive Order 74. This sweeping ban ends the presence of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), marking a bold stand for public safety and social welfare. With links to organized crime, […]
The Philippines has achieved a major milestone in its efforts to exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, having addressed all 18 deficiencies in its anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) controls. This achievement paves the way for the country to potentially leave the grey list in 2025, pending an on-site evaluation […]
The Philippine Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), with the support of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and armed forces, has executed a large-scale raid in Bagac, Bataan, resulting in the arrest of 57 foreign nationals and 358 Filipinos. Those apprehended are suspected of involvement in illegal offshore gaming operations, in a crackdown highlighting the Philippines’ […]
After over three years on the FATF grey list, the Philippines is on track to exit in early 2025, thanks to substantial reforms in anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) protocols. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which regularly reviews high-risk jurisdictions, has noted that the Philippines has “substantially completed” an action plan to […]
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has launched an ambitious infrastructure project aimed at constructing 1,200 classrooms, 200 eLearning centers, and 100 health facilities across the Philippines. Partnering with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), PAGCOR’s flagship project targets rural and underserved communities, aiming to improve […]
Philippine officials have sounded the alarm as POGOs eye Timor-Leste as their potential new base of operations. Following the POGO ban in the Philippines, the offshore gaming industry seeks new opportunities, posing fresh challenges. With concerns over socioeconomic impacts and security risks, Timor-Leste faces a critical decision on embracing or avoiding POGOs. Learn how this […]
Philippine President Set to Ban POGOs Amid Scandal and Criminal Allegations Pervasive crime and scandals in the POGO industry have sparked outrage in the Philippines. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is now preparing an executive order to permanently ban offshore gaming operations in the country. This decisive move aims to dismantle an industry mired in allegations […]
Suspended Mayor Alice Guo Faces 560-Year Sentence for 87 Money Laundering Charges in the Philippines Imagine facing a potential 560-year prison sentence—this is the reality for Alice Guo, the suspended mayor of Bamban, Tarlac. Accused of multiple counts of money laundering linked to offshore gaming operations, Guo’s legal troubles highlight the severe consequences of alleged […]
PAGCOR to Begin Winding Down Offshore Gaming Operators in October The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is set to start phasing out offshore gaming operators next month, following a directive from the country’s top leadership. This move signals a significant shift in the country’s stance on offshore gaming, aiming to tighten regulations and address […]