Senator Win Gatchalian has renewed calls for stricter legislation to combat the rise of illegal online gambling, warning that unlicensed platforms continue to lure millions of Filipinos into addiction.
“Parang kabute ang mga ito — kahit ma-block ngayon, bukas andyan na naman. It’s never ending. Dapat putulin na ang ugat,” he said, likening the persistence of illegal sites to mushrooms sprouting endlessly.
At a Senate hearing, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) reported blocking an average of 50,000 gambling sites, most of which operate abroad.
Officials noted that enforcement remains limited to Philippine jurisdiction, making permanent takedowns difficult.
CICC Executive Director Renato Paraiso suggested appointing cyber diplomats to strengthen international cooperation, pointing out that the Philippines is the only country yet to designate such officials.
He also recommended expanding mutual legal assistance treaties to cover cybercrimes, as current agreements focus on traditional offenses.
Last year, Gatchalian filed the Online Gambling Regulatory Act, proposing a strict regulatory framework rather than an outright ban, aiming to prevent operations from moving underground while addressing the growing threat of illegal online betting.