Philippine DOJ warns illegal POGO operators are splitting into small cells despite nationwide ban

The Philippine Department of Justice has cautioned that illegal offshore gaming operations could resurge even though a nationwide ban is in force. According to the department, operators are moving into smaller premises to avoid detection, and authorities are adjusting their enforcement approach in response.

Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said enforcement had succeeded in dismantling large compounds made up of multiple buildings. However, he noted that closing those sites does not mean the business has stopped. Some operators have split their activities into decentralized systems, including setups within a single room in a residential area. The ban is codified under the Anti-POGO Act of 2025.

Recent raids have uncovered such small-scale operations. The DOJ described how syndicates have broken into small cells that share infrastructure, which makes them harder to identify through standard regulatory surveillance and police raids. While the major compounds are gone, the smaller sites allow illegal activity to continue in places that are less visible to officials.

Immigration is one area under scrutiny. Ty said recent raids found operations run mainly by Chinese nationals who entered the Philippines through visa loopholes or stayed on after their permits expired. Authorities have stepped up monitoring of immigration arrangements and of the premises used for illegal gambling, with a strategy that goes beyond shutting down sites to addressing the resources that let non-compliant operators function.

Security arrangements are also being examined. The Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police are pursuing dismissed police and military personnel who are allegedly hired as private security to shield clandestine sites from inspections. Authorities are investigating these claims.

Property leasing is the third focus. Commercial landlords and property managers who knowingly provide space to unauthorised online gaming or scam operations may face liability under applicable anti-trafficking laws. Potential consequences include asset seizures, and the warning applies to those who knowingly lease premises for such activities.