Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an order this week to crack down on the widespread offshore and online gambling operations mainly run by Chinese individuals in the Philippines. In response to this directive, the Philippine Immigration Bureau announced on Wednesday (July 24) that foreign nationals working for offshore and online gambling companies must leave the Philippines within 60 days.
Immigration Bureau Chief Norman Tansingco stated in a release on Wednesday that all foreign employees of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and Internet Gaming Licensees (IGL) must depart the Philippines within the specified 60-day period.
During his State of the Nation Address before the Philippine Congress on Monday (July 22), Marcos condemned these offshore and online gambling activities, citing involvement in crimes such as financial fraud, human trafficking, torture, kidnapping, and murder. He ordered the termination of all related operations within the country by the end of this year.
Tansingco emphasized that foreign individuals collaborating with POGOs and IGLs, as well as related service providers, have 59 days to conclude their business operations and exit the Philippines.
It is projected that approximately 20,000 foreign employees in these industries will leave the country in the next two months. Reuters reported that a majority of these foreign workers are Chinese citizens. At its peak, around 300 POGOs were operating in the Philippines, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and stricter tax regulations, many companies have relocated or shifted underground. Currently, only 42 companies primarily operated by Chinese individuals have retained permits, directly or indirectly employing about 63,000 Filipino and foreign workers.
The Philippine Immigration Bureau’s statement outlined that new work visas will be denied for employees of POGOs and IGLs, with pending applications also facing rejection. Additionally, the Bureau has obtained a list of foreign nationals working for POGOs and IGLs from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
Tansingco issued a warning that violators of the regulations will be deported and informed that intelligence units and fugitive apprehension teams will intensify arrest operations against suspected violators and gambling establishments.
According to data from the Philippine Immigration Bureau, over 2,300 individuals posing as employees of Philippine gaming companies for fraudulent purposes have been deported.