MONETABRIEF – The Supreme Court had approved seizing assets of Philippines Offshore Gaming Operators under a law to prohibit offshore gaming, a media report said as Sri Lanka is seen to become a 'paradise' for illegal gaming operators to target friendly countries.
The confiscation of assets will be carried out under Section 15 of the Anti-POGO Act, the Philippines News Agency said.
The Supreme had approved seizing all buildings, structures, facilities, materials, gaming equipment, paraphernalia and proceeds used in or obtained from prohibited POGO activities.
The Anti-POGO Act also prohibits allowing houses, buildings, tourism enterprises, vehicles, computers, digital platforms and other properties to be used for offshore gaming activities.
The asset seizing provision will go into effect from around August 24.
Philippines banned offshore gaming targeting countries where they are banned, after a rise in criminal activities including murder, human trafficking and other crimes.
Offshore gaming operators were run by Chinese crime syndicates which also engaged in other cyber crimes along with illicit gaming to countries where they are prohibited.
Sri Lanka has emerged as a top destination for ejected illegal gaming companies that target countries including China and Vietnam.
"Chinese nationals are among the primary victim groups of such crimes," the Embassy of China said in a statement two months ago.
"The position of the Chinese government on cross-border gambling is consistent and unequivocal: Chinese capital is forbidden to invest in overseas casinos, Chinese citizens are forbidden to participate in the operation of overseas casinos, and overseas casinos are prohibited from soliciting Chinese citizens to gamble.
"Gambling almost invariably leads to financial ruin.
"Tens of thousands of Chinese citizens have suffered property losses and even personal harm as a result of cross-border gambling. Such activities may also give rise to other crimes and illegal acts, including fraud, money laundering, kidnapping, unlawful detention, human trafficking, illegal border crossing and so on.
The first murder linked to crime syndicates took place in Sri Lanka when a rival gang abducted a group of Chinese men and killed one of them.
A number of gaming companies are recruiting young East Asians to work in illegal gaming companies, saying Colombo Port City, which was reclaime from the sea by a Chinese corporation is becoming 'paradise' for ex-POGO firms.
"New Amendments to the Chinese Criminal Law has criminalized cross-border gambling activities," the Chinese embassy said.
"Since the beginning of this year, in response to the growing trend of individuals involved in online gambling, telecom fraud, and related criminal grey and black industries relocating from other countries to Sri Lanka, China and Sri Lanka have intensified their joint law enforcement efforts." (Colombo/Aug11/2026)