Online gambling in the Philippines is experiencing massive popularity growth. The main reason for that is offshore online casinos known as POGOs. These gambling operators are focused on foreign online gamblers wanting to enjoy different sorts of games.
To be precise, they are mostly focused on offering their services to Chinese people who usually decide to spend their holidays within this country. The quality they provide, as well as the highest level of security and randomness, are the main reasons why they reached the highest level of popularity. Yet, that doesn’t mean they are perfect.
On this page, we would like to discuss the ups and downs of Philippines Offshore Gambling Operators. You will discover all the benefits and disadvantages an average gambling enthusiast should know.
Based on our analyses, you will determine on your own whether these casino sites are the right choice for you. Let’s go!
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Pros of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators
The number of benefits people can get after opening an account on these gambling sites is much bigger but it also comes with some sort of risks. Always make sure to deal with legit online casinos and conduct due diligence to avoid problems.
They Are All Licensed
The most essential thing about these casinos is that they are all regulated and licensed. The license is issued by the only regulatory body recognized by the law within the country, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
So, what does this license actually confirm? It confirms that the offshore casinos have passed all the necessary tests. These tests are done by responsible and independent individuals and groups that are part of the regulatory body mentioned.
Some of the things checked by this institution are the randomness of the game, security protocols on the website, safety of payment methods and so on.
They Support the National Economy
As we said, offshore online casinos are focused on foreign online gamblers. Most of them come from China, which is pretty logical since most tourists that visit this country come from there. These casinos generate a completely new type of revenue that was especially helpful during the COVID pandemic when the entire country experienced an economic crisis.
The officials within the country have realized that this type of business model will continue to bring additional funds to the national budget. We can certainly highlight this as one of the main advantages of overall offshore gaming in the Philippines for its residents.
Improvement of Gambling Tourism
Tourism was almost stopped completely between 2019 and 2021. Even after that, things were not quite good in the entire world. Fortunately, this industry is slowly returning to the pre-Covid levels. Yet, the Philippine government used offshore gaming options to boost tourism even more.
That is the reason why these gambling sites have managed to promote and support gambling tourism. People gambling at these casinos usually tend to find out more about the country itself. Rarely will just enjoy gambling; most people would want to experience nightlife within the country, get familiar with the culture, and so on.
Logically, gambling has become the main reason for foreign tourists, especially those located in China and south-east Asia, to visit this lovely place. As you see, all these things are connected. With offshore gaming casino operators, the entire country has managed to transform!
Disadvantages of Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators
As we said, things in this industry aren’t perfect. It would be unfair not to mention the negative side of POGOs. Fortunately for all the people, there are not so many of them. This industry is properly regulated, and it really does support the national economy as explained before. We will highlight two things that people should know!
Some Casinos Tend to Scam People
People need to be careful when opening an account at some of the offshore online casinos. Although this industry is properly regulated, thanks to regulatory bodies, there are scamming websites trying to steal people’s data. Such things were rare and usually sanctioned on time by the official government.
However, it is a good thing to mention it and remind people of how important it is to think about cybersecurity.
Linked to Crimes
Another thing we need to mention is that underground offshore companies ruined the reputation of the industry a little. Some of them, as we stated, work illegally. Data theft is not the only problem that these sites are linked to. They are even linked to “major crimes” such as human trafficking, kidnappings and even murders.
This isn’t the true problem of these operators, however, certain happenings have, unfortunately, ruined their overall reputation. Things are going in the right direction, but there are some things that have to be fixed soon.
Conclusion
These are some of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of offshore gaming casinos. They really have supported the national economy, especially during periods of crisis. With new laws and regulations, we hope that the reputation will get back to the one these casinos have had for a very long time.