Philippines Will Deport 40,000 Chinese Casino Employees
The Southeast Asia country is due to undergo a major deportation exercise following a crackdown against the criminality stemming from the domestic casino business. The country has turned its attention towards the unchecked industry of Chinese offshore gambling operations – these so-called POGOs have become an extremely business vertical of late, drawing thousands of Chinese workers to the Philippines as they establish an operations base beyond the reach of Chinese anti-gambling jurisdiction and law enforcement.
The Philippines political stance towards gambling parlours has shifted drastically under the new government, since June 2022 the new President has been initiating a series of crackdowns against Chinese run POGOs. ©TheDigitalWay/Pixabay
The practice of building a network of Philippines based offshore gambling operations has become a torment on the local societies around where these businesses are built. The nature of the gambling business in Asia is not always in-line with the aims of the government when it comes to social affluence. Criminality and corruption are inevitable by-products of allowing the gambling entrepreneurs free-roam of the country. Law enforcement in the local regions where this expansions are being realized are gradually becoming overwhelmed by the demands placed on them.
Getting to the place of consensus around the impact of Philippines becoming a hotbed of Chinese gambling operatives has not been the easiest process. The President of the country, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, has for a long time resisted the pushback, as the industry generates so much revenue for his cash-strapped government. Turning his tone on the issue to one of concession to criticism has been a multi-year transition. But with the outbreak of more violence and disruption across the country, it appears the government has no choice but to act decisively.
Now the crackdown has begun, and the Philippines has decided to repatriate over 40,000 Chinese workers employed at the locally managed POGOs. This decision appears to not have been made lightly, and it comes as a direct result of the aftermath of senators voicing their concerns on the course the country has been taking in recent years. Criticisms were mounting as to how vulnerable the Philippines has become to the gambling industry – and time to create a more robust legal framework is long overdue.
175 Casinos to be Shutdown by the New Philippines Government
After years of concessions under Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines became a haven for Chinese gambling entrepreneurs to run their exploits. It was a trend that began in the shadows, later transforming to an open secret, to in the later stages becoming a fully-fledged monetization model for the state. Those days are now in the past however, and the new government led by Ferdinand Marcos Jr has indicated very prominently that they are not going to give offshore casino operators a free pass in the Philippines any longer.
Words are one thing, but actions are what really counts. The new government has certainly lived up to that, with a sweeping rescindment of 175 casino operating licenses. All of these casinos had received approval since 2016 under the Duterte government, and are now being told to pack up their bags and get out of the country. The POGO parlors as they’re referred to have either had their licenses completely revoked, or have had expiring licenses denied for a renewal.
The justification at this stage has obvious and sound reasoning. With the rising crime rates, financial corruption, money laundering, and violence directly connected to turf wars and wrestling for market dominance, the Philippines authorities have come to the conclusion that no matter the financial benefit of having the Chinese gambling companies operate on their shores, the price and cost on its social sanctimony is rising to unacceptable levels.
China which has long been pushing for the Philippines to take a tougher stance against the POGO operatives running rife across the country has welcomed the change in position. Under the new Philippines government, the interests and goals of China are being promoted more vigorously. No longer incentivized by the pure financial gain that the POGOs once provided due to the sharp increase in crime and social disorder, the new Philippines stance towards gambling operations on its shores marks a major turning point in the legal dynamic of Asian gambling.
