Approximately 3,000 foreign employees working for the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) have left the Philippines following the downgrading of their visas, according to a report from the Bureau of Immigration (BI). The departures are part of an ongoing government initiative to phase out the POGO industry, which is expected to be completely banned by early 2025.

The Bureau of Immigration’s Officer-in-Charge, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, confirmed the figures during a meeting of the “Task Force POGO Closure” over the weekend. The task force, comprising various government agencies including the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), has been overseeing the process of winding down POGO operations in the country. Viado, cited by Inside Asian Gaming, stated that 5,955 POGO worker visas had been downgraded as of late September, with approximately 55% of those workers having already left the Philippines.

Government Initiatives to Accelerate POGO Worker Exits

During the meeting, Viado announced plans to implement service days for POGO companies, during which task force teams will visit POGO sites to handle the on-the-spot downgrading of visas and issue exit clearances. These measures are part of a larger effort to ensure that POGO workers exit the country promptly before the complete shutdown of the industry.

These efforts are being coordinated with the participation of agencies, such as the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police, to streamline the process and ensure compliance. The voluntary downgrading of visas is intended to gradually reduce the presence of POGO workers ahead of the final phase-out of the industry. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. first announced the impending ban on POGOs during his State of the Nation Address in July 2024, with a deadline of January 1, 2025, for the complete cessation of all operations.

Enforcement of Visa Downgrades and Compliance Deadlines

In line with the government’s efforts, the DOJ has set a deadline of October 15, 2024, for all foreign POGO workers to voluntarily downgrade their visas. Workers who fail to comply with this requirement will be given an additional 59 days to leave the country. If they remain in the Philippines beyond the December 31, 2024 deadline, they will face arrest, deportation, and blacklisting from the country.

While the current focus is on encouraging voluntary departures, Viado acknowledged that more challenges are likely in 2025. Law enforcement agencies will then shift their focus to apprehending POGO workers who have not complied with the exit orders, initiating deportation proceedings for those who continue to reside in the Philippines illegally.

POGO Industry in Decline as Shutdown Looms

The closure of POGOs in the Philippines has been a key government initiative, driven by concerns over illegal gambling, fraud, and other organized crime activities associated with the offshore gaming industry. POGO operations, once a significant contributor to the country’s economy, have faced increasing scrutiny in recent years.

Jessa Mariz Fernandez, Assistant Vice President of PAGCOR’s Offshore Gaming Licensing Department, confirmed earlier this month that the cancellation of work visas for POGO employees would be carried out in batches, aiming for a gradual reduction in operations leading up to the industry’s full closure by December 31, 2024.

In addition to managing the departure of foreign POGO workers, Philippine authorities are also dealing with other legal challenges related to the POGO industry. Recently, the Bureau of Immigration arrested two South Korean nationals at their head office in Manila. The individuals were attempting to extend their tourist visas when routine checks flagged them for involvement in illegal gambling operations and multiple fraud cases. Both men are now in custody and awaiting deportation.