Senator JV Ejercito has urged an intensified nationwide crackdown against illegal online gambling, noting that relentless effort is needed to completely eradicate these underground operations.
“We should decimate totally illegal gambling operations,” Ejercito said.
“Operators of these illegal sites should not be given space in our society as they destroy Filipino families and the future of our people, especially the youth,” he added.
Ejercito called on the Department of the Interior and Local Government, law enforcement agencies, and local government units to work closely in cracking down on all forms of illegal gambling within their jurisdictions.
He likewise urged the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, e-wallet companies, and other financial service providers to take immediate action by cutting off access to online gambling platforms and closing any loopholes being exploited by operators and bettors.
Ejercito said the BSP can issue a circular imposing stricter regulations on these platforms to prevent minors from accessing online gambling services, which are often found under the “services” category in mobile phone applications.
He also called on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the National Bureau of Investigation to join forces in ensuring that licensed gambling operators are not covertly engaged in illegal activities.
“With PAGCOR’s help, we can verify which online gambling sites are legal or not. From here, the NBI can move against these illegal online gambling sites and hold accountable the syndicates behind these operations,” the senator said.
“This is no longer just about vice. It’s a national concern that’s eroding values and draining resources from Filipino households,” he added.
