Major telecom firms PLDT/Smart, Globe, Converge, and DITO have blocked 44 of 52 websites flagged as illegal gambling platforms, in a joint crackdown led by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
The action follows a congressional inquiry where Rep. Brian Poe-Llamanzares warned that unlicensed gambling apps were siphoning billions from Filipinos. PAGCOR confirmed the platforms were operating without permits.
Blocked apps include Poppo Live, BoloUP, Himme (Hime), Vone, and Niki, which are now inaccessible across all major carriers. Others like Hala Live and Awaz show partial blocking.
Poe-Llamanzares said Congress secured over ₱176 million in added funding to expand the cybercrime centers’ monitoring, response, and reporting capacities. Citizens may report cases via Hotline 1326.
Authorities warned that operators are urging users to bypass restrictions, stressing that continued transactions with these sites may result in criminal liability.
Officials are also calling for tougher measures, including app store removals by Google and Apple, and tighter BSP enforcement to block e-wallet transactions linked to illegal gambling.
