Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) can get back to business as usual, per the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR). The iGaming providers were shut down on March 18 due to the spread of the coronavirus; according to CNN Philippines, the government is allowing them to resume in order to generate much-needed gaming revenues.
POGOs were forced to shut down March 18 as a result of the crisis. They will be allowed to resume operations under “stringent conditions for both compliance with tax obligations and employee safety,” PAGCOR stated. Prior to relaunching, they must settle all tax liabilities, be current with regulatory and license fees, and pay any performance bond or penalties due to PAGOR.
As for safety measures, staffers will be temperature-tested on arrival, and social distancing standards will be observed, with face masks mandatory.
“Even with the partial resumption of POGO operations, we will put premium on the safety of their employees, and the gaming industry as a whole,” PAGCOR chairwoman and chief executive Andrea Domingo said.
“While we recognize their huge contributions to nation-building, and their great viability as a funding source in these difficult times, we still have to practice extra precaution in striking a balance between health and economic benefits.”
PAGCOR defended its support of POGOs as some lawmakers called for a ban on the industry. In a newsletter titled “The Truth about POGO: A Primer,” cited by Inside Asian Gaming, the state-run regulator refuted allegations that link the online providers to prostitution, crime, money laundering, Chinese espionage and even murder.
It also highlighted the revenues derived from POGOs, established in 2016 in response to the proliferation of illegal iGaming operators in the country. Since then, the report said, POGOs have generated a total of PHP20.83 billion (US$412 million).
“These revenues are over and above the other fees and taxes imposed by other agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue for their corporate taxes and the employees’ income tax, the Bureau of Immigration for their visa fees, the Local Government Units for their local taxes and fees imposed by other agencies,” PAGCOR said.
“POGO is NOT prostitution,” PAGCOR added. “POGO is NOT a spy network.”
