THE Philippines continues to grapple with the problem of illegal gambling, with over 2,000 websites operating despite efforts to shut them down.
This includes websites associated with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), which are alleged to be contributing to crime in the country. This alarming situation was revealed during a joint hearing of the House committee on public order and safety and the committee on games and amusement.
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chair Alejandro Tengco reported that as of August 2022, PAGCOR had identified 7,747 illegal gambling websites.
These websites were reported to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for closure, but only 74% were successfully shut down.
This means that over 2,000 websites remain operational, raising concerns among lawmakers, particularly as some influencers are reportedly involved in promoting illegal gambling on social media. “One of the biggest challenges we face is the proliferation of illegal online casinos,” stated Sta. Rosa Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, chairman of the committee on public order and safety.
Tengco acknowledged that PAGCOR lacks the authority to directly shut down or monitor illegal gambling websites, including those run by illegal POGOs, without the assistance of law enforcement agencies. “PAGCOR does not have police powers, so we only coordinate with our authorities. We report to them (Philippine National Police) that there are illegal activities,” Tengco explained.
The hearing also uncovered that approximately 40,000 foreigners, primarily Chinese nationals, are residing in the Philippines without proper documentation. This raises concerns about illegal immigration and potential security risks.
The continued operation of these illegal gambling websites highlights the need for stronger collaboration between government agencies and law enforcement to effectively address this issue.
The government must also consider implementing stricter regulations and penalties to deter illegal gambling activities and protect the public from potential harm.
