The Pasig City local government has shut down 18 establishments offering e-games and e-bingos in the City, its Mayor Vico Sotto announced on Monday, February 12.

In a Facebook post, Sotto said the 18 establishments blatantly disregarded the law and local government regulation as they continued operations despite their permit to operate expired last December 31, 2023.

He noted that they allowed the establishments a month "to peacefully close on their own."

"Last Friday (Feb 9, 2024) I gave the order to our BPLD [Business Permits and Licencing Department], with police assistance, to shut them down," he said.

With the 18 establishments' closure, the Pasig City Mayor said all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) and e-games/e-bingo establishments are now closed.

In December 2022, Sotto issued Ordinance 55, series 22, directing all online gambling establishments in Pasig to wind up operations until 2023.

"Pinasa natin ang Ordinansa [55] para ipagbawal ang mga establisyementong ito dahil wala naman silang magandang naidudulot sa lipunan. Ang dami nang nalulong, meron pang nagpakamatay at kaso ng HUMAN TRAFFICKING na kaugnay nito. Bukod pa ito sa lagayan na nangyayari sa konseho noon," he stressed.