Philippine gambling regulation has once again sparked heated debate. Alejandro Tengco, chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), recently admitted that PAGCOR actually has no authority to directly shut down or ban illegal gambling websites within the country, and its role is limited to referring cases to relevant law enforcement agencies.
Tengco explained that currently, all PAGCOR can do is report suspicious websites to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the Philippine Criminal Intelligence Commission (CICC), and the cybercrime division of the Philippine National Police (PNP), who will then take further action. In other words, PAGCOR acts more like an "intelligence broker" and cannot truly prevent illegal platforms from continuing to operate.
More problematically, with technological updates, these illegal websites can quickly "change shells and be reborn" within 24 to 48 hours, coming online again under new domain names. Tengco bluntly stated that this "whack-a-mole" situation puts regulation on the defensive, almost creating an impasse where it is "impossible to shut down or extinguish completely."
Industry insiders warn that the proliferation of illegal websites not only impacts the legal gambling market but also fosters online gambling crimes, exacerbating public security issues. PAGCOR's public stance essentially admits a regulatory vacuum, which will inevitably lead to external doubts about the future of the Philippine gambling industry.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank of the Philippines (BSP) has intervened, demanding that major e-wallet companies sever all connections with online gambling platforms, including POGO operations. The directive specifically requires operators like GCash and Maya to remove gambling icons and redirect links within 48 hours, cutting off the flow of gambling funds.
Senator Sonny Aquino welcomed this, calling it a crucial turning point in combating the proliferation of POGO and online gambling. He noted that online gambling, especially POGO, can be operated anytime and anywhere, posing severe financial and psychological risks to family members, particularly teenagers. He criticized, "Casinos cannot be set up near schools and churches, but online gambling can enter homes through mobile phones at any time, just a few centimeters away, which is absurd."
Aquino called on PAGCOR and President Marcos Jr. to take more decisive action to completely eradicate POGO and online gambling, otherwise, the gambling issue will continue to erode social safety and destroy family finances and the growth environment for teenagers. In recent years, many legislators and civil organizations have also continuously called for strict regulation or even a complete ban on electronic gambling to prevent uncontrollable risks.
Experts warn that the risks of POGO are not limited to financial losses but may also involve money laundering, fraud, and transnational crimes. As e-wallet platforms are forced to disengage from POGO, underground online gambling may further proliferate, increasing regulatory difficulties, but the threat to ordinary families still exists.
This strong measure by the central bank marks a critical step by the Philippine government in curbing the proliferation of electronic gambling, also sending a clear signal: the gray areas of the gambling industry have reached the social bottom line, and the hidden dangers of POGO are rapidly spreading to families and societal levels.
