Philippines Deports 91 Chinese Nationals Linked to Illegal Offshore Gambling

The Philippines has deported 91 Chinese citizens to the People’s Republic of China after they were arrested and charged with assisting in the operation of an illegal online casino enterprise. The Philippines Immigration Bureau stated in a release that the 91 “illegal Chinese workers” had continued working in offshore gaming operations even after the Philippine government outlawed the industry last year. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. rescinded licenses for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in July 2024, effectively shutting down the sector.

Immigration officials detailed that the deported individuals were employed in an unauthorized POGO hub in a variety of roles. “We remain steadfast in enforcing our immigration laws. Those who abuse their stay in the Philippines and engage in unlawful activities will be dealt with accordingly,” said Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado. The bureau added that the Chinese nationals were apprehended during various interagency raids conducted under the authority of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.

The deportations were carried out immediately, with the 91 Chinese citizens placed on a Philippines Airlines flight bound for China on the morning of September 19. The process was expedited through cooperation with the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

POGOs were previously a $3 billion industry before Marcos Jr. acted to terminate the Filipino iGaming market, following calls from China and other Asian nations. These platforms were Philippines-based online gaming operators that primarily targeted players in countries where online casinos were illegal, particularly China. Marcos Jr.’s predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, had resisted China’s requests to shut down the industry, citing its significant tax and economic contributions. In 2019, one of Duterte’s top aides asserted, “China cannot dictate to us.”

Marcos Jr. took a different approach, aiming to strengthen ties with China, a decision that has had serious consequences for many former POGO workers. Tens of thousands of Chinese nationals were lured to the Philippines with promises of higher pay and better living conditions, which often proved false. Many POGO employees reported working in conditions described as slave-like, with pay far below expectations.

Now that the industry has been dismantled, many of these Chinese workers have struggled to find alternative employment. Returning to China poses additional risks due to legal ramifications, as the Communist Party of China prohibits its citizens from gambling overseas or working in gaming roles abroad. The 91 deported individuals are expected to face prosecution upon arrival in China, as Beijing views cross-border gambling as a threat to national security and the integrity of the Chinese financial system.

At the height of the industry in 2019, an estimated 130,000 Chinese nationals were employed by POGOs, which required Mandarin-speaking staff for call centers. Human rights organizations have repeatedly highlighted the harsh conditions in Chinese prisons, citing widespread torture, forced labor, and other inhumane treatment as common practices, underscoring the severe challenges awaiting the deported workers.

By fLEXI tEAM