THE Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has taken down 8,901 illegal online gambling sites.
CICC Deputy Executive Director Renato “Aboy” Paraiso said they expect the figures to go up as they continue their fight against illegal online gambling.
“Aktibo ho tayo sa paghahanap ng mga illegal gambling sites na ito, illegal scam sites,” he said in an interview with state-run media PTV Wednesday, August 13.
He added that the CICC has been intensifying its coordination with other government agencies to crack down on illegal online recruitment and on scams.
“At ngayon ho ang dami nating partnerships with other government agencies. Very soon ho the partnership with DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) would be there para naman ho sawatain na rin natin at hanapin at i-block na rin natin itong mga illegal online recruitment scams na ito,” Paraiso noted.
Last month, the CICC said it began sending show-cause orders to social media influencers who continue to promote illegal online gambling.
Mobile wallets ‘allies’ in curbing illegal online gambling
Meanwhile, a group of online gaming companies said Thursday, August 14, that regulated non-bank electronic money issuers should be “retained” as key enforcement tools rather than be disconnected from gambling-related transactions.
PlaySafe Alliance PH spokesman Mike Defensor pointed out that mobile wallets are strategic allies of the government and licensed e-gaming operators in curbing the operations of illegal internet gambling.
He said mobile wallets provide ”Know Your Client (KYC)” data and transaction trails, which will enable authorities to trace flows, link accounts to suspected operator networks, and build cases.
He also said that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas draft measures – including stronger identity verification, daily limits and mandatory monitoring for gambling-related activity – create the legal and technical scaffolding needed for wallets to flag and block illicit transfers promptly.
Defensor warned that a total ban or unilateral disconnection of mobile wallets could produce perverse effects, driving bettors and operators toward cash couriers or emerging digital payment channels that are harder for domestic regulators to monitor. (ABS-CBN News/GMA Integrated News)
