The former chief of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) said the government can offset the potential revenue losses from the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) by allowing gaming Business Process Outsourcing in export processing zones to enpolsure strict regulations.
Atty. Nicasio Conti, former head of PAGC, now chief executive officer of Capstone-Intel Corp. lauded the decision of President Bongbong Marcos’ decision to ban POGO operations as it has led to serious crimes of trafficking, kidnapping, tax evasion and other national security concerns.
“The ban on POGOs is a commendable step towards safeguarding our national interests and ensuring a more secure and regulated gaming industry,” said Conti. He added that, “the negative implications of POGOs on our economy and society have been evident, and this decisive action will help mitigate these risks.”
Conti was reacting to the concerns raised by Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda on the potential revenue losses from POGO operations.
He proposed a strategic shift towards allowing gaming BPO operations in Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) and the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport (APECO). These government-attached agencies have separate mandates from PAGCOR.
The former cabinet official explained that gaming BPO in export processing zones can be regulated since these areas are considered as “controlled environments.”
“The transition to gaming BPOs within designated Economic Zones can offset the revenue loss from POGOs. These zones are equipped to handle such operations efficiently and with greater regulatory oversight,” Conti explained in a press release on Wednesday.
Conti said PAGCOR must step up monitoring and regulations, should it decide to issue licenses and allow Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGOs).
Earlier, Conti calls for the strict prohibition of gambling advertisements across all platforms to mitigate the social impact of gambling within the country.
“If PAGCOR continues to oversee PIGOs, there must be rigorous monitoring and enforcement of regulations to ensure compliance. Additionally, gambling advertisements should be strictly banned in all media to protect our citizens from the potential harms of gambling,” he said.
