Philippines Launches ‘Intense Manhunt’ for Chinese Immigrant iGaming Workers

• Gambling News
• 03 January 2025

The Philippines Bureau of Immigration thinks that over 11,000 foreign nationals who came to the Southeast Asian island nation for jobs in online gaming still remain in the country, even after being instructed to depart by year-end. 

To placate the People's Republic of China, Philippines President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in July mandated the prompt closure of the nation's online gambling sector. Referred to as Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, or POGOs, numerous online casino enterprises focused on nations where internet gambling is banned, particularly China. 

The Immigration Bureau of the Philippines set a deadline of December 31, 2024, for foreign workers drawn to employment in POGOs to leave the country. This week, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado informed the Philippine News Agency, the government’s official news source, that he believes there are still 11,254 foreign employees of POGO in the country.

"I have ordered our intelligence division to initiate the search for those at large. They are considered illegal aliens now,” Viado said.

“Expect an intensified manhunt against these illegal aliens. The order of the president is clear — no more POGO in the Philippines,” the BI chief added.

Immigrants Pursue Sanctuary 

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the Philippine government for years to prevent POGOs from permitting online casino players from China. The majority of gambling types on the mainland are banned, with the exceptions being the government-operated lottery and sports betting pool. Casinos are exclusively found in Macau, which is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic. 

Engaging in or running an online gambling business in China is against the law. Penalties are harsh for individuals convicted of engaging in such unlawful activities, although the prosecution of a single player is uncommon. 

For many years, China has cautioned its citizens that being employed in an online gambling operation is illegal. However, hundreds of thousands of Chinese were attracted to the Philippines by assurances of improved living conditions and higher wages. 

Earlier this year, POGOs had around 40,000 employees, a significant number of whom were Mandarin-speaking Chinese individuals catering to online gamblers from mainland China. 

Numerous Chinese immigrants claimed unmet expectations and even conditions akin to slavery upon their arrival in the Philippines. Going back to China risks legal action for being involved in an international gambling enterprise and enabling the movement of capital from the mainland, which Xi claims threatens China’s national security. 

At the peak of the POGO industry in 2019, online gaming sites generated approximately $3 billion from international players. 

POGOs Under Scrutiny 

In addition to cautioning foreign POGO workers that they need to exit the Philippines, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission Executive Director Gilbert Cruz stated this week that landlords who allow online gaming operations in their properties knowingly will face criminal charges. Cruz stated that property owners could lose their assets if law enforcement uncovers POGO activities. 

Following Marcos' prohibition, there have been accounts of smaller online gaming ventures establishing themselves in apartment complexes and hotel rooms.