The government of the Philippines will ban offshore gaming operators (known as POGOs), throwing the local BPO industry under the shadow of a potential crisis.
POGOs are online gambling sites operating from the Philippines to service players in foreign countries, with China being their most lucrative market.
Special call centers known as SBPOs are at risk of being dragged into the POGO ban, putting up to 10,000 jobs in jeopardy.
SBPOs have appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for exemption, arguing they are not involved in gambling operations. However, Ferdinand Marcos has given no sign of changing his mind. His plan is to close down all POGOs by the end of the year.
Although there are licensed POGOs, illicit online casinos do exist in the Philippines, and some have been linked to criminal activities such as prostitution, human trafficking and money laundering.
The discovery of torture chambers in Metro Manila, allegedly operated by POGO syndicates, fueled public outrage.
To prevent POGOs from operating under the guise of call centers, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Gracia established a task force to inspect BPOs for compliance with licensing requirements.
The mayor expressed concerns about illegal POGO-like businesses disguised as legitimate call centers operating in Cebu and other areas,
The job losses and economic implications of the POGO ban are expected to be substantial, posing a challenge for the Philippine government as it seeks to mitigate the impact on affected workers and businesses.
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