MALACAÑANG will assess if the continued operation of Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGOs) are beneficial to the country before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. decides if this should be banned or not.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, in a briefing in Malacañang yesterday, said Marcos will not hesitate to implement a total ban if it is determined that PIGOs are following the path of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
The president has banned all POGO operations in the country after these were used as fronts for criminal activities.
“Well, anyway, kung mangyayari ulit iyong nangyari sa POGO dito sa PIGO, hindi po mag-aatubili ang Pangulo na magkaroon din po ng total ban sa PIGO pero siyempre kakailanganin po natin ng data patungkol dito (If the problems that happened due to POGO operations happen again in the operation of PIGOs, the president will not hesitate to implement a total ban of PIGOs. But of course, we need data before that happens),” she said
She urged the public to submit to Malacañang reports or complaints related to PIGO activities so these can be used in assessing if a ban should be implemented.
Senate President Francis Escudero has earlier raised concerns over PIGOs, particularly in relation to reports indicating that many Filipinos have been losing money due to local online gambling.
Escudero said PIGO operations have been ignored in the past as the government was focused on stopping POGOs.
He noted that PIGOs and POGOs offer the same online games, except for the targeted clientele.
PIGOs target local online gaming players, while POGOs were played by foreigners outside of the country.
