Asia Gaming Brief reports
Philippine President Marcos’ recent POGO ban Executive Order applies universally, regardless of location or licensing, and violators could face significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment, a legal expert told AGB.
On November 5th, 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 74 (EO 74), officially terminating all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) across the country by December 31st.
This sweeping ban has generated discussions regarding its legal implications and the potential impact on affected workers.
In an interview with AGB, Filipino corporate lawyer Russell Stanley Geronimo, founder of Geronimo Law, emphasized that the executive order is explicit in its scope.
The lawyer noted that, in the absence of explicit statements, the general rule that POGOs and IGLs are banned “remains intact.” The Office of the President has clarified that the ban encompasses all forms of POGO operations, regardless of their location or licensing authority.
“This official clarification strongly reinforces the interpretation that the ban is comprehensive”, Geronimo noted.
The lawyer—who has served in all branches of government, including the Office of the President, Senate, House of Representatives, and Supreme Court—added that existing legal frameworks will support the enforcement of the ban.
“Under EO 74, POGO and IGL operations are now classified as illegal gambling,” Geronimo noted, adding that violators will face substantial penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and asset confiscation.
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POGO Presidential Executive Order is pretty “explicit in its scope”: Legal expert
