Philippine President Signs Law Criminalizing Offshore Gambling

^{Photo: Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines}

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a new law imposing a total ban and criminal penalties on all forms of offshore gambling.

The legislation formally ends the country’s experiment with the offshore gaming industry, revoking previous rules that had allowed operators to function legally under a tax framework.

Previously, the government sought to regulate POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) through taxation. Under the new law, however, any involvement in offshore gambling — from taking bets to running gaming hubs — is now deemed a criminal offense.

Before the law’s passage, offshore operators technically retained legal status, as their authorization could only be revoked through new legislation. In practice, though, POGO operations had already been halted in late 2024, when President Marcos Jr. issued an executive order mandating an immediate shutdown, citing rising crime, human trafficking, and national security concerns.

The new law cements that ban at the legislative level. All existing licenses will be canceled, and participation in offshore gambling is now classified as a criminal act.

Penalties under the law are severe:

• First offense: up to 8 years in prison and a fine of up to $255,000
• Second offense: up to 10 years and a fine of up to $510,000
• Third offense: up to 12 years and a fine of up to $850,000

Public officials face maximum sentences, while foreign nationals will be deported and permanently banned from re-entering the country after serving their sentences.

Earlier, Gambling Park reported that the Philippine gaming regulator allocated $860,000 to combat illegal gambling operations.