Global renowned game supplier JILI Game Provider (part of International Games System Co., with a market value of 7.2 billion USD) and Evolution AB (part of Entain PLC, valued at 7.6 billion USD) are being accused of providing core content support for illegal online gambling in the Philippines. According to industry reports, these two companies supply a variety of products to thousands of unlicensed websites, ranging from "Scatter" type games like Super Ace to live baccarat, roulette, and bingo, and extensively draw traffic through social media, contributing to the expansion of the country's gray gambling market.
Due to the lack of regulation on illegal sites, players face multiple risks including fraud, unsecured funds, and predatory betting. Industry insiders point out that as long as international suppliers continue to provide content to unlicensed platforms, it is difficult to effectively protect player rights. Meanwhile, licensed Philippine domestic gambling operators (PIGO) face strict regulations including audits, high fees, advertising restrictions, and disruptions in electronic payment channels, with some companies experiencing revenue declines of up to 60%, putting immense pressure on the legal market.
Data shows that there are currently about 12,000 illegal gambling websites in the Philippines, including 6,363 online casinos, 4,813 online cockfighting platforms, and 235 offshore operation sites. Despite ongoing government crackdowns, about 3,000 illegal platforms are still actively operating, most of which rely on international content suppliers. Currently, 60% of online gambling activities in the country occur on illegal platforms, with only 40% being regulated.
Licensed operators must strictly implement age restrictions, identity verification (KYC), responsible gambling policies, and pay a proportion of their income to the government. Their contribution is also significant: in 2024, online gambling revenue reached 48.7 billion pesos, accounting for 50% of PAGCOR's total revenue; in the first half of 2025, it contributed 32 billion pesos, about 60%. These funds are used for national health insurance (12.67 billion pesos) and corporate social responsibility projects (23.6 billion pesos), directly supporting national healthcare and community development.
