Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has given a one-year deadline for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and other gambling establishments to close down operations and leave the city.
Last Tuesday, Dec. 27, he shared on social media Ordinance No. 55, series of 2022, which bans operations and applications of online gambling, including POGOs and other related businesses, in Pasig City.
"Ordinance 55, s-22. Existing online gambling establishments in Pasig have 1 yr (2023) to wind up operations. New ones, including POGOs, will not be granted permits." Sotto said.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Ordinance 55, s-22. Existing online gambling establishments in Pasig have 1 yr (2023) to wind up operations. New ones, including POGOs, will not be granted permits. Thank you VM Dodot, author Coun Simon, and majority of councilors for standing firm on your convictions. While-- <a href="https://t.co/YEbVhPfUv5">pic.twitter.com/YEbVhPfUv5</a>
&mdash; Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) <a href="https://twitter.com/VicoSotto/status/1607565667376705536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Those who violate the Ordinance will be fined an amount of P5,000 or be imprisoned for 1 year, or both depending on the court's discretion.
Legal gambling establishments are allowed to renew licenses until Dec. 31, 2023.
Mayor Sotto also addressed problems on bribes for gambling establishments renewal, "While we have seen the social ills of these forms of gambling (nabalitaan niyo ba yung nanay na sinangla yung anak?), that's not all.&rdquo;
"I take it as a personal insult when there are "alleged" offers of bribes every permit renewal season. Kung lehitimo ba't kailangan ng lagay lagay." he said.
POGO refers to entities providing ang participating in offshore gaming services including providing games to players, bets, and paying players winnings.

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Vico Sotto gives POGOs a year to leave Pasig City