Illegal online casino hub busted in Philippines, 21 nabbed including locals

February 19, 2025

Illegal online casino hub busted in Philippines, 21 nabbed including locals

Philippine authorities have arrested 21 individuals, including six South Korean nationals and 15 Filipinos, in a raid on an alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Pasay City. The operation was part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown on unauthorised offshore gaming activities following their official prohibition from 1 January 2025.

The raid, conducted at approximately 5:20 pm on 17 February 2025, was led by the Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC) in collaboration with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Bureau of Immigration. Acting on intelligence reports, the authorities targeted a basement room within the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City, where the suspects were allegedly operating an online gaming scheme aimed at South Korean nationals.

“Aside from the illegal gaming activities, they are also suspected of being involved in game fixing and online scamming,” the PAOCC confirmed in a statement.

Foreigners facing legal trouble over violations

Among those apprehended was Ha Jungjo, who has an existing derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration due to overstaying or an unexplained prolonged stay in the country. The agency further noted that an investigation is underway, with complaints against the suspects scheduled to be filed on Tuesday.

The individuals remain in custody at the PAOCC’s detention facility, where they await legal proceedings for alleged violations of the Securities Regulation Code, Illegal Gambling under Republic Act 10175, Money Laundering, and the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, among other offences.

This latest operation comes as part of a broader initiative by the Philippine government to eradicate all forms of offshore gaming within the country. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously emphasised the detrimental effects of POGO operations, citing their links to illegal employment, tax evasion, and organised crime.

POGO crackdown gains momentum

In his State of the Nation Address in July 2024, he announced a nationwide prohibition on POGOs, later formalised under Executive Order No. 74, signed in November 2024. Under the directive, all POGO licences were deemed invalid by the end of 2024, with authorities tasked with enforcing the ban and shutting down remaining illicit operations.

Since then, the Philippine government has intensified its efforts in recent months to dismantle underground gaming operations, with multiple raids and arrests conducted across key cities.

Law enforcement agencies have also pledged continued vigilance in tracking and prosecuting individuals involved in offshore gaming activities, particularly those operating under fraudulent pretences.