The Philippines Targets Influencers Promoting Illegal Gambling

The Philippines Targets Influencers Promoting Illegal Gambling

The Philippines is taking steps to tackle the persistent issue of illegal gambling, with particular focus on the role social media influencers play in advertising unauthorized gambling services to local audiences. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has identified widespread promotion of these illicit activities.

Government Efforts to Regulate Influencer Promotions

In response, the CICC is intensifying its initiatives to restrict the influence these promoters have and to ensure they face legal consequences for endorsing banned gambling products.

This effort is a collaborative one, involving the advocacy group Digital Pinoys. Together, they compile evidence and share details about suspected influencers with the Philippine National Police–Anti-Cybercrime Group. This agency is tasked with launching formal investigations and possibly pursuing legal action against those involved.

The CICC emphasized its resolve in a recent statement, affirming the government’s dedication to holding not only illegal gambling operators but also individuals and organizations accountable for knowingly supporting or endorsing such schemes online. The collection of evidence against promoters signals strong grounds for prosecution.

Investigations and Legal Proceedings Against Influencers

Influencer marketing remains one of the primary channels through which many online casinos attract customers. Despite questionable legality, numerous online personalities continue these promotions driven by substantial financial rewards for driving traffic to gambling sites.

Currently, the CICC is gathering data on influencers suspected of facilitating online gambling. Working with Digital Pinoys, the center aims to ensure these individuals are properly investigated by competent authorities and prosecuted under the Philippines’ gambling regulations.