MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte said
that the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country should
continue amid calls from China to ban online gambling in the Philippines.
In a press conference at the Malacañang Palace on
Wednesday evening, President Duterte said that many Filipinos will lose jobs if
he heeds the advice of China to ban POGO.
“We decide to benefit the interest of my countrymen,” Duterte said. “I decide
that we need it. Maraming mawalan ng
hanapbuhay. Anyway it’s government-controlled.”
Duterte, however, warned gambling concessionaires to pay what is due to the
government.
“Bantay kayo ha kayong mga
concessionaires pag nagkamali kayo, hindi kayo nag remit, isang remittance lang, you better close tapos
mag-usap tayo,” the President said.
The Chinese government has urged the Philippines last month to ban all online
gambling after the latter stopped accepting applications for offshore gaming
licenses until all concerns have been addressed.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has earned more than P16
billion in revenue from offshore gaming operations since it started regulating
POGOs as of July./PN
