PAGCOR to ban POGO hubs in latest effort to clean up Philippines offshore gaming industry
Friday 12 de July 2024 / 12:00
⏱ 2 min read
(Manila).- Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR will ban POGO hubs as part of its efforts to clean up the nation’s controversial offshore gaming industry.
Speaking at a Senate inquiry into POGOs on Wednesday, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said that although he couldn’t guarantee that bad actors would no longer look to engage in illegal activities, the regulator would look to make such activities more difficult by banning hubs and increasing monitoring of the 43 companies that currently hold offshore gaming licenses – now known as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs).
“We’re coming out with certain guidelines. We’re already banning hubs,” Tengco said, as reported by the Inquirer.
“In the meantime, there is no order for closure but I can inform everybody that we will not allow any hub existing or going to be applied for. We will not approve it anymore because we want [IGLs] to be site specific and building specific.”
The concept of self-contained POGO hubs was introduced in 2019 under the previous PAGCOR regime, with the regulator stating at that time that such hubs would make POGOs easier to regulate while also limiting interactions between Chinese workers and local Filipinos.
However, the hubs themselves have become highly controversial following a series of raids amid reports of illegal activities, most recently at a hub in Pampanga last month said to be involved in human trafficking.
According to Tengco, PAGCOR will have round the clock teams monitoring its licensed IGLs.
“Hopefully that can deter, hopefully if we notice anything, we can immediately report it to the police, he said.
“But it’s difficult for me to say in this hall and in front of everyone here that this will be the last [incident] because if there is really a criminal intent, then I can no longer monitor it.”
Categoría:Others
Tags: Sin tags
País: Philippines
Región: Asia
Event
BiS SiGMA South America 2026
06 de April 2026
Viviana David Discusses IGT PlayDigital's LATAM Growth Strategy
(São Paulo, SoloAzar Exclusive).- At BiS SiGMA South America, Viviana David, Head of Commercial LATAM at IGT PlayDigital, shared insights on the company’s vision for Brazil and the wider Latin American market. In this interview, she discusses the opportunities driving IGT’s participation, the business connections forged, and how innovative digital solutions are shaping the future of iGaming across the region.
Monday 18 May 2026 / 12:00
Fast Track Showcases AI-Powered CRM Innovation at BIS Sigma South America 2026
(São Paulo, SoloAzar Exclusive).- At the recent BIS Sigma Edition, Fast Track highlighted how its AI-driven CRM solutions are reshaping operator strategies in Brazil’s newly regulated iGaming market. Muriel Le Senechal, Regional Commercial Manager for LatAm, shared insights on the industry’s shift from acquisition to retention, emphasizing the role of automation, personalization, and real-time engagement in driving sustainable growth.
Tuesday 12 May 2026 / 12:00
Pay4Fun’s Leonardo Baptista on BiS SiGMA South America 2026: Regulation, Market Maturity and Brazil’s Expanding Opportunities
(São Paulo, SoloAzar Exclusive).-In this interview at BiS SiGMA South America 2026, Leonardo Baptista, CEO and co-founder of Pay4Fun, shares insights on the event’s strategic importance for the Latin American gaming industry. He highlights the growing maturity of regulatory discussions, the increasing focus on compliance and sustainability, and the expanding opportunities in Brazil—one of the most promising regulated markets globally.
Thursday 07 May 2026 / 12:00
SUSCRIBIRSE
Para suscribirse a nuestro newsletter, complete sus datos
Reciba todo el contenido más reciente en su correo electrónico varias veces al mes.
