Philippines’ Marcos mulls online gambling ban amid fears ‘Chinese gangsters’ have taken over

Marcos’ close political allies urge him to put a stop to online gaming operators, or Pogos, saying mounting related crimes and social costs outweigh revenue brought in

Justice secretary warns of ‘humanitarian crisis’ over Chinese Pogos workers, with about 40,000 overstaying in country after operations shut down

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is facing increased pressure to ban all online gambling operations. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 8:30am, 22 Sep 2022Updated: 8:42am, 22 Sep 2022

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is facing increased pressure, including from his own allies, to ban all online gambling operations amid evidence that “Chinese gangsters” have taken over what was only last year described as a sunrise industry.

Under the previous Duterte administration, Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) began to proliferate, with dozens sprouting up in the past several years, many illegally, and most catering to players in China where gambling is illegal.

With it has come a spate of crimes, including kidnappings, murder, torture and allegations of workers being “enslaved”, prompting Marcos’ close aides to urge him to put a stop to it once and for all.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Photo: AP

Marcos could sign an executive order any time and stop their operations, according to Senator Minority Floor Leader Koko Pimentel, while Senator Nancy Binay said Congress could pass a law banning them because “is it worth it?”.

Senator Imee Marcos, the president’s elder sister, said on Sunday he was deliberating on the matter, but added he had not made up his mind.

Marcos’ close ally, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, said on Monday he would support such a ban because “the social costs” outweighed “the meagre income” Pogos brought in, echoing the September 15 remarks by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

Other cabinet members, however, are divided on the issue.