PH gov’t strengthens efforts to combat illegal online gambling, e-sabong

The government of the Philippines is making more of an effort to shut down websites that provide illegal gambling and e-sabong, or online cockfight betting.

Major telecom company Globe Telecom has seen an increase in the number of risky websites linked to child pornography, illegal gambling, and internet piracy. The company successfully blacklisted 404,730 websites and connections carrying illicit content between January and September of this year, a 45% rise over the same period in 2022.

Like many other countries, the Philippines is making an effort to stop the growth of online gambling companies. Even though e-sabong is prohibited by law, it is nonetheless carried out via several websites.

By locating and prohibiting these websites, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other organizations are attempting to solve the issue. The National Telecommunications Commission was granted the power to compel ISPs to block more than 2,400 websites connected to online cockfighting under Executive Requirement No. 9, which was issued in December of the previous year. Nevertheless, authorities have now discovered 2,817 e-sabong websites.

The National Telecommunications Commission has acted, even as lawmakers debate whether or not they have the authority to order telecoms to shut down e-sabong websites. Legislators may need to enact legislation giving the agency the authority to respond to takedown requests in order to avoid future legal challenges.

Original story by: Casino.org