Philippines: Influencers Are 'Part of a Conspiracy to Promote Illegal Gambling'
The Philippines Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has issued a stern warning to social media influencers who promote illegal online gambling platforms, stating that such endorsements may result in legal consequences. As part of its broader crackdown on unauthorized gambling operations, the CICC emphasized that individuals who support or advertise these unregulated platforms could be considered complicit in organized criminal activity.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Renato Paraiso, Deputy Executive Director of the CICC, underscored this position during a July 4 interview with ABS-CBN News. He explained that from a legal standpoint, influencers who advertise illegal gambling services are viewed as part of a "conspiracy to promote illegal gambling." According to Paraiso, this level of involvement positions them as members of a criminal organization under the law, regardless of whether they are the operators of the gambling sites themselves.
Related: NZ Warns Influencers over Illegal Casino PromotionsThe CICC, which has been following influencers in the gambling industry for several years, has intensified its efforts to combat illegal electronic gambling through joint operations with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). These operations aim not only to dismantle unauthorized gaming platforms but also to identify and apprehend the operators behind them. Paraiso appealed directly to influencers to stop endorsing unlicensed platforms, though he did not disclose specific names or cases during his public statements.
In coordination with the National Telecommunications Commission, the CICC is planning additional measures to disrupt the activities of illegal gambling websites. These measures include identifying the domains in question and seeking their removal from the internet.
The agency also disclosed that it is acquiring new technologies to assist in this initiative. Paraiso stated that the development of technical capabilities is a necessary step to effectively trace and take down these operations, many of which have grown in both scale and sophistication.
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CICC Continues Monitoring of Gaming Platforms
The CICC reported it has been monitoring up to 30 different electronic gaming platforms that operate without a license from PAGCOR. These platforms are active daily and continue to attract Filipino users through digital advertising, often via social media and influencer marketing. The authorities are treating the promotion of these sites as a serious offense that undermines government regulation and public safety.
PAGCOR has also introduced initiatives aimed at safeguarding consumers. In June, PAGCOR unveiled a website that allows users to verify whether a gambling service is properly registered. The platform provides real-time access to licensing information, which is intended to help consumers distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent operations.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco stated that the verification site was designed to empower the public by offering a fast and reliable method to assess the legitimacy of online gambling services. This initiative aims to prevent users from becoming victims of scams and fraudulent platforms that often impersonate licensed operators. According to PAGCOR, increasing transparency and accessibility to accurate information is key to building a safer gambling environment in the country.
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