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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has intensified its notice to the public regarding these unlicensed activities that are becoming increasingly common across various online platforms.
PAGCOR Issues Strong Warning
The state gaming regulator has made it clear that it does not authorize any gambling activities to be broadcast through social media channels. “The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today warned the public against joining or patronizing gambling activities that are livestreamed in online platforms such as Facebook and other social media channels, saying they are likely illegal,” the agency indicated in its latest advisory.
They also fail to implement consumer protections and provide no assurance that winning is real or that they will pay out to players. This makes the environment unsafe, where users have zero recourse if something goes wrong with these illegal sites.
PAGCOR has recommended to the public that they should check the licensing status of any internet-based gambling website from the official PAGCOR website prior to engaging in any gambling activity.
Scam Tactics Revealed
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center has also listed general tactics employed by these unlawful operations to cheat users. CICC Deputy Executive Director Assistant Secretary Renato Paraiso described one of the popular scam techniques: “Sometimes, players are asked to deposit funds to access the platform. The games are rigged — players are made to win initially, luring them into depositing larger amounts, only to be defrauded later.“
These fraudulent activities usually employ advanced methods to gain the trust of potential victims. By enabling players to win small amounts of money at first, they provide a delusory sense of security that leads to larger deposits. After users deposit substantial funds, the operators tend to flee with the funds or rig the games to guarantee losses.
Fake Government Websites
Beyond social media platforms, authorities have discovered illegal websites that deliberately mimic government domains to deceive users. Officials have found sites that closely resemble legitimate government websites, including one that imitated the Department of Trade and Industry website. Paraiso labeled these as “lookalike domains” which are set up specifically to mislead users into believing they are visiting the genuine government websites by mimicking their looks and web addresses.
Enforcement Challenges
The CICC is collaborating closely with PAGCOR to close these illicit platforms, but the process encounters numerous problems. “Three weeks ago, we had nine sites blocked. I currently have 150 more pending certification from PAGCOR before they can be taken down,” Paraiso mentioned. The enforcement process is complicated by the fact that many of these illegal operations are based in other countries, including Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Thailand.
Technology Solutions in Development
To further enhance enforcement, the CICC is lobbying the government to fund the use of artificial intelligence software that can identify illegal gambling content throughout social media. “We’ve proposed this to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and, with help from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), are hoping it can be funded in the 2026 budget,” Paraiso stated.
These AI tools would enable the authorities to detect and act against illegal gambling activities more swiftly, perhaps catching them before they can scam large groups of users.
Warning to Influencers and Endorsers
The CICC has also warned local influencers and content providers who promote the illegal gambling platforms, and they made it clear that it will be tougher on those who persist in endorsing these unauthorized games.
“By next week, I will no longer issue appeals. I will begin sending out demand letters for possible criminal charges against these individuals or influencers,” Paraiso stated. The agency will also seek to have platforms take down both the offending content and the accounts that promote illegal gambling operations.
Policy Considerations
The situation brings to focus the constant battle between technological development and regulatory implementation, as illegal operators find new avenues to reach prospective victims via popular social media sites. The government’s reaction shows the necessity for both technological remedies and more effective laws to protect Filipino consumers from these scam operations.
Source: Asia Gaming Brief (AGB)
