Philippine regulator says 80% of the illegal gaming websites are blocked

[The Buzz]

Last week, PAGCOR, the Philippine gaming regulator, announced that approximately 80% of the illicit gaming websites previously active in the nation have been successfully blocked in the wake of the apprehension of 12 individuals implicated in unlawful online gaming activities. The regulator revealed that these arrests were the culmination of a month-long surveillance effort conducted in coordination with the Parañaque City subdivision, alongside consultation with the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Anti-Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

From the press release:

The illegal gaming site has been operating games like slot machines, live casino, e-sports, among others. Authorities seized from the suspects eleven computer sets, 21 mobile phones, 2 ipads, 6 laptops and flash drives, according to the PAGCOR chief.Onsite examination revealed that the confiscated gadgets contain evidence of the group’s illegal online activities, said PAGCOR Senior Vice President for Security and Monitoring Cluster Raul Villanueva.

The raid was conducted inside BF Northwest Subdivision, an affluent enclave whose residents include some of the most prominent political and business leaders in Parañaque.

According to Mr. Villanueva, close to 5,000 illegal online gaming sites were operating in the country at one time but 80% of these were already blocked.

“We need to consistently monitor and report them to authorities not only to protect the bettors but to also ensure that revenues from regulated gaming are channeled back to the government for its nation-building programs,” he said.

Read more here: https://www.pagcor.ph/press-releases...aming-site.php