The Philippines has made significant strides in combating illegal gambling, with recent data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) showcasing a substantial number of arrests resulting from targeted operations against illegal gaming activities.
According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), approximately 41,000 individuals have been apprehended in operations to dismantle the illegal gambling industry, with most cases involving online gaming.
These efforts come at a time when the country’s gaming sector is undergoing a significant transition.
While certain forms of online gambling gained immense popularity, they were marred by corruption, leading to their eventual shutdown. The Philippines Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) and eSabong segments have faced severe challenges.
POGOs, which once contributed millions of dollars in revenue to the Philippines, encountered difficulties following an attempt to increase their tax rate. Consequently, some operators resorted to illicit practices such as human trafficking, exploitation, coercion, and other criminal activities. In response, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the country’s gaming regulator, and lawmakers began purging the sector of such elements.
Over the past two years, PAGCOR revoked numerous POGO licenses in an attempt to maintain the industry’s integrity.
However, these measures proved insufficient, and lawmakers are now pushing for a complete ban on POGOs.
Similarly, eSabong, an online platform for betting on cockfights, has faced significant criticism.
Despite once generating substantial revenue for the Philippines, corruption tarnished its reputation.
Ongoing police investigations into missing individuals linked to eSabong and the arrest of several police officers involved in kidnappings related to the activity have further highlighted the issue. The turning point came when a desperate mother attempted to sell her newborn baby to settle her eSabong gambling debt.
eSabong was banned in May 2022, yet illegal wagers persist, placing additional pressure on the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Assistance is on the Horizon
Major General Benjamin Acorda, Jr., the newly appointed Head of the National Police, has bolstered various departments to grant them greater authority in combating illegal gambling. The PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group has been working tirelessly towards this mission, although Acorda acknowledges the presence of obstacles.
As Acorda highlighted in an interview with the PNA, one significant challenge is the legislation itself. He emphasized that existing gaming laws lack sufficient specificity regarding online gambling, making it more challenging to prosecute violations deemed as such by the PNP.
To address this issue, legislative reforms are underway, although progress has been slow. However, the PNP has received support from both the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and PAGCOR.
The PCSO, responsible for raising funds for national health programs through lotteries and sweepstakes, operates under the Office of the President, making it closely aligned with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.
PAGCOR, despite recent legislative challenges, is also playing its part. In addition to tightening regulations on licensing, the organization has joined the Clark Security Advisory Council, a response to the shocking discovery of over 1,000 human trafficking victims in the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. These individuals had been forced into slave labor for illegal gambling entities and call centers until authorities intervened.
These concerted efforts from various stakeholders offer a promising boost to the PNP’s campaign against illegal gambling. While eradicating illegal gambling entirely may prove challenging, vigilant scrutiny can prevent it from spiraling out of control.
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