Illegal gambling in Philippines, e-Sabong website targeted
Philippine authorities are stepping up efforts to crack down on illegal gambling and e-sabong (online cockfight betting) websites. With the increasing number of online gambling platforms, these websites have become the main targets of the authorities. But their numbers illustrate the enormity of the task ahead.
Major telecommunications company Globe Telecom Inc. has seen a significant increase in the number of malicious websites related to illegal gambling, child pornography and online piracy. In response to this trend, the company has increased its efforts to block websites.
According to a statement from Globe Telecom, the company successfully blocked a record 404,730 websites and links containing illegal content between January and September. This is a significant increase of 45% compared to the 278,555 sites blocked during the same period in 2022.
This also exceeds the 401,487 websites that Globe Telecom blocked last year for hosting illegal content. This number is 18 times higher than the 22,371 sites that were closed a year ago.
In response to this growing threat, Globe has invested millions of dollars in technology to find and block illegal or suspicious websites and links. The move is in line with the company’s campaign against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).
This effort is in compliance with the Philippines' Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, which requires ISPs to use all necessary legal means to block access to child pornography. The Philippine Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center recently announced that the country’s OSAEC ranks second in the world.
e-Sabong is still a problem
The ban on E-Sabong in the Philippines does not prevent the operation of websites dedicated to the activity. The Philippine National Police (PNP) and other organizations are addressing the issue through separate efforts.
Under Executive Order (EO) 9 last December, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered ISPs to block more than 2,400 websites offering online cockfighting. Despite the implementation of the Executive Order, PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) Director Brigadier General Sidney Hernia revealed that the PNP has discovered 2,817 websites involving e-sabong.
CIDG staff and other local police units are actively looking for various studios used by online cockfight betting operators. These proactive measures are in line with Globe Telecom's commitment to ensuring a safe online environment and complying with laws and regulations to prevent the spread of harmful and illegal content.
Lawmakers are considering the power to order telecommunications companies to block e-sabong websites. While laws such as Executive Order No. 9 make betting on boxing matches illegal, no law to date specifically authorizes the PNP or any other entity to order telecommunications companies to block these websites.
That hasn't stopped the NTC from taking action, but lawmakers must now close the gap. If they want to avoid future lawsuits, they will need to pass legislation giving the agency the legal authority to respond to takedown notices.
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Source: www.casino.org
