Palace issues EO on POGO ban

President Marcos has issued an executive order formalizing his verbal directive in July for the "immediate" ban on Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) in the country.

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"The State has the paramount duty to safeguard national security, maintain public order, uphold the rule of law, protect the safety of its citizens and ensure the integrity of the social fabric of the nation," Marcos said in issuing Executive Order No. 74.

Marcos ordered a ban on POGOs during his third State of the Nation Address in July, citing their link to illegal activities.

POGOs and internet gaming licensees (IGLs) are covered by the ongoing intensified crackdown on illegal gambling activities, according to the EO, signed for the President by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Nov. 5.

It said applications for new licenses, permits or authorizations of POGO/ IGL and other offshore gaming applicants, as well as applications for other licenses, permits or authorizations for POGO, IGL and other offshore gamingrelated/auxiliary/ancillary services, shall no longer be allowed.