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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider JV Ejercito to gov't: Launch intensified crackdown vs illegal online gambling

JV Ejercito to gov't: Launch intensified crackdown vs illegal online gambling

Published Jul 22, 2025 02:19 pm

At A Glance

  • The senator said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), law enforcement agencies, and local government units (LGUs) should work closely in cracking down on all forms of illegal gambling within their jurisdictions.

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Tuesday, July 22 urged the government to intensify its nationwide crackdown against illegal online gambling until their operations are completely eradicated.

Ejercito said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), law enforcement agencies, and local government units (LGUs) should work closely in cracking down on all forms of illegal gambling within their jurisdictions.

“Tuluyan na nating burahin ang operasyon ng illegal gambling. Paliitin natin ang kanilang mundo hanggang tuluyan na silang mapuksa (Let us continue to eradicate illegal gambling operations. Let us make their world smaller until they are completely eradicated),” Ejercito said.

“Hindi natin sila dapat bigyan ng puwang sa lipunan dahil sinisira nila ang pamilya Pilipino at kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang ating kabataan (We should not give them a place in society because they are destroying the Filipino family and the future of our countrymen, especially our youth),” he stressed.

Ejercito further appealed to the DILG to take action by instructing LGUs—governors and mayors—to crack down on and close down all illegal gambling establishments, whether online or physical that are within their jurisdictions.

The senator also urged the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), 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.

“Mauutak ang mga operator at tumataya sa sugal. Kaya nga kahit mga menor de edad ay nakapapasok na. Walang silbi ang paalalang ’21 and above only’ kung hindi naman kayang ipatupad (These operators and those who gamble are smart. That’s why even minors have been allowed in. The reminder ’21 years old and above only’ is useless if it can’t be enforced),” he said.

At the very least, the BSP should issue an order 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.

Ejercito also said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should join forces in ensuring that licensed gambling operators are not covertly engaged in illegal activities.

With Pagcor’s help, the senator said it would be possible to verify which online gambling sites are legal or not.

“Mula rito, maaari nang kumilos ang NBI para tuluyang matukoy at mapasara ang mga illegal na online gambling sites at mapanagot ang mga sindikato na nasa likod ng mga operasyon nito (From here, the NBI can take action to completely identify and shut down illegal online gambling sites and hold accountable the syndicates behind their operations),” he stressed.

While responsible gaming under strict regulation has a place in a modern economy, the lawmaker said the rise of illegal and unregulated platforms, it still poses a serious threat to families and communities, especially young people.

“This is no longer just about vice, it’s a national concern that’s eroding values and draining resources from Filipino households. Let’s not allow our society to be ruined by illegal online gambling,” Ejercito said.

Related Tags

jv ejercito Illegal online gambling ONLINE GAMBLING DILG
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