Philippines Senator pushes for tougher crackdown on offshore gambling sites

[The Buzz]

Philippines Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is pressing for a tougher crackdown on illegal online gambling, calling on the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center to step up site blocking and monitoring efforts.

Authorities say more than 50,000 websites have already been restricted, but enforcement remains difficult, with an estimated 97% of illegal operators based offshore, beyond the Philippines’ direct jurisdiction, even as online gambling participation continues to rise nationwide.

From Business Mirror:

Decrying their penchant for spreading like mushrooms, Senator Win Gatchalian is seeking tougher legislative action to curb the rapid spread of illegal online gambling, as unlicensed betting sites continue to lure millions of Filipinos into gambling addiction.

“Parang kabute ang mga ito – kahit ma-block ngayon, bukas andyan na naman [They’re like mushrooms. Even if you block them today, they’ll spring up again]. It’s never ending. Dapat putulin na ang ugat [Their roots should be cut]. Have you gone further than blocking?” Gatchalian asked the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) during a recent Senate hearing.

The CICC said it has blocked an average of 50,000 online gambling sites, 95–97 percent of which operate from outside the country. Authorities explained that they can only block access within Philippine jurisdiction, making full takedown impossible which is a key enforcement challenge of cross-border operations.

Read more here: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/0...line-gambling/

[Slot777]

They recently shut down lots of them in Malaysia too.