The Bureau of Internal Revenue and Department of Finance has shut down one of the biggest Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) service providers under Task Force POGO. Three branches of Great Empire Gaming and Amusement Corporation (GEGAC) in Eastwood, Quezon City, Subic and Parañaque City were ordered to close shop for failure to comply with the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997. BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel Guballa said that GEGAC is enjoying preferential treatment since its main office has been operating at the Subic Ecozone but its Quezon City branch is not duly registered with the BIR and Quezon City local government. BIR has issued letters of notice to non-compliant POGO service providers in July including GEGAC. They have been given ample time to comply and pay proper taxes. The POGO Task Force has estimated earlier that Php2 billion worth of withholding taxes are not being paid by POGO service providers which employ around 100,000 workers.
