Foreign Workers Exit Philippines in Droves After iGaming Ban
The closure of online casinos, which primarily serve international clients, has led to the exodus of about 24,000 foreign workers from the Philippines.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:As reported by Nikkei Asia, the Bureau of Immigration, which released the relevant data, told foreign workers affected by the ban to leave the country.
Last July, the Philippines government ordered the shutdown of all online casinos by year-end, citing links to criminal activities such as money laundering and human trafficking.
The government's decision aims to dismantle the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), which have been operating online casinos targeting mainly Chinese customers, where gambling is illegal.
Island Cove, the Philippines' largest hub for online gaming operators in Cavite Province, was shut down on December 17. At the height of its operations, the vast 33-hectare complex had a workforce of 30,000 employees.
The online gaming operators were initially licensed in 2016 by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte.
The casinos, which predominantly catered to Chinese clientele, also led to a notable influx of Chinese nationals to the Philippines.
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Industry Decline Amid Regulations
According to Reuters, the Philippines once had 300 online gaming operators, but the COVID-19 pandemic and stricter tax regulations forced many of these operators to either relocate to more favorable jurisdictions or continue their operations secretly.
By July, the number of licensed online gaming operators had dwindled to 42, supporting around 63,000 jobs for Filipinos and foreigners.
In September, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) estimated that the ban would impact around 40,000 Filipino workers. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) set an October 15 deadline for foreign POGO employees to downgrade their visas, warning of deportation for non-compliance. Over 21,000 foreign workers applied for visa adjustments in response.
RELATED TOPICS: Regulation
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