The government’s COVID-19 task force has allowed Philippine offshore online gaming operators or POGOs to resume partial operations, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed on Friday.

Citing the revenues from POGOs as a significant source of funds that would supplement efforts to curb the health crisis, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo said the management allowed the partial reopening of POGOs, without violating guidelines provided by the government under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

Prior to resumption of operations, POGOs and their service providers are ordered to strictly adhere to all of PAGCOR’s pre-requisites including the 1) updating and settlement of all their tax liabilities, as certified by the Bureau of Internal Revenue; 2) updating of their payments for any regulatory fee, license fee, performance bond or penalties due to PAGCOR; 3) remittance of regulatory fees for the month of April; and 4) must pass the readiness to implement safety protocols.

Aside from meeting these requirements, Domingo said that PAGCOR will impose safety protocols on POGOs to help ensure that their employees will be protected from COVID-19 infections, and that spread of the virus in their communities will be avoided.