26 of 62 licensed POGOs share same address with their service providers – AMLC

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-six of the 62 registered Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the Philippines share the same address with their service providers, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said Thursday.

AMLC executive director Mel Racela explained these licensed POGOs should have different service providers, preferably from the Philippines, as required by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

“Twenty-six POGOs out of the 62, the 26 have common address with a service provider. Dapat po magkaiba po iyon,” Racela told senators during a hearing for AMLC’s proposed 2021 budget.

Service providers of POGOs offer call center operations, telemarketing, video streaming, and the like.

“That means, pareho lang po yung POGO licensee and the service provider and ang requirement po ng PAGCOR is magha-hire ka ng service provider kahit na ikaw ay offshore, magha-hire ka ng service provider dito sa Pilipinas para nabe-benefit na rin yung ating economy,” he explained.

(That means, the POGO licensee and the service provider have the same address. And the requirement of PAGCOR is for them to hire a service provider here in the Philippines, though they are offshore, so that economy will benefit.)

Racela said they already have some information on the erring POGOs’ owners but it has yet to be completed. Regardless, he said he would furnish the Senate a copy of the information already available.

POGOs were among the first industries allowed to resume operations despite the imposition of quarantine measures across the country, provided they settle their taxes and follow minimum health standards. [ac]