The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has confirmed that a memo that was reportedly from the office of the Presidential administration and instructed local government units to shut POGOs immediately was a fake.
According to a report on the PAGCOR website, the memo instructed local government departments to close any online casinos (POGOs) operating in their areas by the first week of August.
The memo came just days after President’s State of the Nation Address during which Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr stated that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are to be shut down as more locally-based online casinos have been linked to scams and other criminal activity.
However, Atty. Jessa Mariz Fernandez, head of PAGCOR’s Offshore Gaming Licensing Department shared an image of the memo reiterating that was in fact a forgery of a previously released memo and altered to include the new deadline of August.
PAGCOR Confirms that Presidential Memo to Shut POGOs Immediately was FakeAtty. Fernandez said:
PAGCOR Confirms that Presidential Memo to Shut POGOs Immediately was FakeThis is a clear disinformation intended to create chaos and confusion. Whoever is behind this clearly has ulterior motives, and we shall ask the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate and unmask them to determine their motives.”
Closure Still on Track but no Firm Deadline
She went on to add that no steps should be taken to shut down POGO operators as of yet. Instead the status quo would remain in effect until a firm deadline for closure has been set.
She added:
PAGCOR Confirms that Presidential Memo to Shut POGOs Immediately was Fake PAGCOR Confirms that Presidential Memo to Shut POGOs Immediately was Fake
Based in London, Natasha is a former sports journalist with experience working for some of the biggest athletes & brands in the world of sports and iGaming.