Marcos signs new law against the scourge of offshore gambling

The Anti-Pogo Act of 2025 is now in force, repealing the provisions of the previous law on gambling taxation. The government wants to prioritise ‘the protection of life and general welfare’, as well as supporting ‘human dignity’. Prison sentences and progressive fines are envisaged. The Church has also long called for an all-out fight against the scourge of gambling.

Manila (AsiaNews) - Philippine leaders continue their all-out fight against illegal gambling, a social and economic scourge that has long been targeted by the local Church: on 23 October, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the so-called ‘Anti-Pogo Act of 2025’ (Republic Act 12312), which bans the much-discussed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo), authorised centres for offshore online gambling aimed at foreign customers.

This law repeals and reverses the content of a previous ‘Law on the Taxation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations’ (Republic Act 11590), which imposed taxes on both offshore gaming licences and service providers operating in the territory.

Specifically, the new law states that the State ‘recognises that the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property, and the promotion of general welfare are fundamental to the meaningful enjoyment of democracy’.

It also ‘values the dignity of every person equally’ and ‘guarantees full respect for human rights’. The Philippine Senate approved the law on 9 June 2025, followed by the House of Representatives, which gave the green light two days later, on 11 June.

In November 2024, Marcos issued Executive Order No. 74, imposing an immediate ban on offshore and internet gambling, citing the risks posed by POGO operations in the Philippines. The document published by the president emphasised that “the state has a fundamental duty to safeguard national security, maintain public order, uphold the rule of law, protect the safety of its citizens and ensure the integrity of the nation's social fabric”.

During his State of the Nation Address on 22 July 2024, Marcos himself confirmed the all-out fight against POGOs following reports of crimes, human trafficking and torture linked to the centres.

Hence the hope that the new law will resolve many of the issues that remain unresolved. Specifically, first-time offenders face six to eight years in prison and a fine of between 300,000 and 15 million Philippine pesos (up to approximately £150,000).

Second-time offenders face eight years and one day to 10 years in prison and a fine of between 15 and 30 million Philippine pesos. A third offence carries a sentence of 10 years and 1 day to 12 years in prison and a fine of between 30 and 50 million Philippine pesos.

The most severe penalty for the offence will be imposed if the perpetrator is a public official or employee. If the perpetrator is a foreigner, they will be repatriated immediately after serving their sentence and will never be allowed to return to the Philippines.

Senators Win Gatchalian and Risa Hontiveros are the authors of the bill. After signing the bill, Senator Hontiveros, chair of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, expressed her satisfaction.

"Sincere thanks to the government agencies and whistleblowers who have been our partners in the in-depth investigation of Pogos. I am also very grateful,‘ she added, ’to my fellow Pogo-buster, Senator Win Gatchalian, for leading the process of this bill.‘

Leila M. de Lima, a member of the House of Representatives and human rights activist, also welcomed the approval of the ’Anti-Pogo Law 2025". ‘The government,’ she explained, ‘should ensure the removal of all remaining Pogos in the country, including those that continue to operate in other forms’ but which remain illegal centres. ‘We must ensure,’ she concluded, ‘the strict enforcement of this law so that it cannot be circumvented by those with selfish interests, especially in future administrations.’

In the past, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) had expressed concern about the widespread presence of Pogos and other gambling-related activities in the archipelago, as they cause serious harm to people and have social and emotional costs, especially for poor and vulnerable communities.

In June and July, the bishops published a pastoral letter, read in all churches across the country, concerning Pogos and government-promoted online gambling activities. Although these are now banned, other ‘legal’ and state-approved gambling activities continue. One of the most critical voices on the subject is that of Cardinal Pablo Virgilio S. David, president of the Bishops' Conference and bishop of Caloocan.