anticipating clandestine POGO operations in the Philippines after the enforcement of the ban

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Unlicensed POGOs: The Shady Business in the Philippines

By: Lucas Dunn | December 13, 2024 ⏰ 6:30 AM 🌐 World 📷 Wikimedia Commons, CC by-SA 3.0

Lukewarm Future for POGOs: Only seven licensed operators are left, as the rest wind down operations
Rogue POGOs on the Rise: Expect to see a surge of unlicensed operations across the country
Government's Resilient Response: The establishment is readying itself for a fierce crackdown against these illicit operators

Meet Lucas Dunn, a New Jersey-bred, quick-witted wordsmith with a knack for casino, software, and game reviews, news, and blogs. He's been in the writing game for more than half a decade, collaborating with clients worldwide from the US, the UK, NZ, Australia, SA, and Canada. 🌐🌐 Before he dipped his quill in the world of gambling, Lucas nabbed a psychology degree from Rutgers University, then tested his artistic mettle as a painter, following dad's footsteps. Now he's a full-time scribe with occasional forays into the world of art. 🎨🎨

Strictly for smart boutique readers 🔒

Busting the Unlicensed POGO Syndicate

Spilling the Beans

Real talk, the Philippines has been up to its neck with unlicensed POGOs ("Pingpongdiplomacy Operators" ⚠️ for those who've spent their nights inalkaloid-fueled gaming sessions 🕹️). The game's main regulator, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), is on the front lines.

Keeping It Legal

Here's the lowdown on the current regulation: The Senate proposes Senate Bills 1281, 2689, and 2297 to seize POGOs entirely and fine landlords who house these nefarious establishments. PAGCOR doles out licenses with stringent conditions, including a $200 million minimum capital investment and a "moral fit" test for its shareholders 🏦💼.

Operators must adhere to regulations on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know-Your-Customer (KYC) compliance, submit their dirty deeds to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and grovel to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) with a 5% gaming tax 💰💰.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also issued an executive order to cease the issuance of new POGO licenses and decline to renew existing ones, aiming to beef up public safety 🚔🚨.

Looking Forward

Marcos's ilk has their sights set on shutting down POGOs once and for all, as they've infiltrated the shadows, sucking them into their vortex of illegal activities such as fraud and human trafficking 👮‍♂️👮‍♀️. The country is hell-bent on ratcheting up AML/KYC protocols, tightening the noose around loose operators, and plugging the leaks in enforcement 🚫🔒.

Wheels Wobbling on the Road to Justice

Regulatory Hazards: Whistleblowers squawk about potential loopholes in the executive order, potentially giving POGOs a lifeline and reinventing themselves under a new guise 🤥.
Legislative Vigor: Senators are junior-leaguing the need for stronger legislation to ensure the POGO ban is an unstoppable force and to tackle the core issues of illicit gambling operations ⚖️⚖️.

Lucas Dunn, the New Jersey-bred author specializing in reviews, news, and blogs about casinos, software, and games, has recently penned an article about the surge of unlicensed POGOs ("Pingpongdiplomacy Operators") in the Philippines.
In his article, Lucas discusses the government's proposed measures to combat the rise of these unlicensed operations, including Senate Bills aimed at seizing POGOs and fining landlords who house them.
He also explains the stringent regulations that licensed POGOs must adhere to, such as a minimum capital investment, a "moral fit" test, AML and KYC compliance, and a 5% gaming tax.
However, Lucas points out potential loopholes in the executive order aimed at ceasing the issuance of new POGO licenses, suggesting that unlicensed POGOs could potentially reinvent themselves and continue their illegal activities such as fraud and human trafficking.