MANILA, Philippines — Despite the pronouncement of their total shutdown, over 150 small-scale Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators are being monitored by the national government for their continued operation, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission said on Friday.

At present, only about 20 POGOs remain, and they are expected to shut down soon, according to PAGCOR records.

“As of now, based on PAGCOR’s records, there are only about 20 (POGOs) left; we are just waiting for the remaining ones, which are close to 20, to completely shut down,” said PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz in Filipino in a televised Malacañan forum.

The150 POGO operations still being monitored include smaller-scale operations that emerged from large POGO hubs, with some relocating to small resorts, condominiums, and gated houses.

“But what we are looking at and monitoring, which will continue to operate despite the President’s pronouncement… we are still monitoring over 150 of them,” he said.

“These are the ones we are referring to, those that came from large POGO hubs and have turned into smaller-scale POGO operations. So, we are monitoring those, as well as others that have moved to smaller resorts, condominiums, and gated houses. These are some of the other areas we are looking into,” the official said.

Government data showed that, as of November 29, over 53,700 offshore gaming employment licenses had been canceled, 18 internet gambling licensees (IGLs) had voluntarily surrendered their licenses, and 27 IGLs were in the process of shutting down their operations.

During his State of the Nation Address last July, Marcos announced the prohibition of POGOs, citing their links to serious crimes and revealing the involvement of other government officials, including dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

Marcos recently signed Executive Order 74, which imposed restrictions on POGOs, internet gaming licenses, and other offshore gaming operations in the country.

These operators were given until this month to halt their operations, after which they would face deportation to their respective countries.

Earlier this week, the Bureau of Immigration  announced that approximately 20,000 former POGO workers will depart the country by the end of the month.