Philippines confirms iGaming ban
The gaming ban on PEZA’s accredited buildings has taken effect with the approval of the government of Philippines.
Philippines.- Online gaming operations are officially banned from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) accredited buildings. The legislation attempt was announced earlier this week, but the Office of the President signed it yesterday. The national prohibition became effective immediately after President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval.
“After meeting with the PEZA board and the BPO association, we reached a consensus that we will not allow because first, gambling is not a mandate of PEZA. Second, allowing it might affect operations of our legitimate BPO (business process outsourcing companies) locators,” told PEZA director general Charito Plaza to Innovate Gaming yesterday.
Online gaming ban has been discussed due to its notorious growth throughout Metro Manila and the rest of the country. According to PEZA, most iGaming operators have been based in agency’s accredited buildings, especially in Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport or Cagayan Economic Zone Authority locators.
“I will be sending them advisories because online gaming in the guise of BPO, they should stop leasing those engage in that. Not even those engage in technical support for online gaming firms,” Plaza commented to Innovate Gaming. “We do not want to ruin the image of the legitimate BPOs locating in our sites.”
The government’s concerns grew after local real estate company Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) reported that the iGaming industry is the second biggest office space occupier in the Philippines.
