Influencers Endorsing Illegal Gambling in the Philippines Urged to Stop
Online creators and influencers are urged to consider the consequences of promoting unregistered gambling operators in exchange for quick money.
- Digital Pinoys said influencers endorsing illegal gambling should disclose to the authorities the contacts of these sites and stop from promoting them.
- For Digital Pinoys National Campaigner Ronald Gustilo, influencers should look beyond the money they earn and consider the possible effects of promoting these unregulated gambling operators to their viewers.
- Gustilo also asked the national government to coordinate with networks hosting illegal gambling sites.
Digital literacy advocate group Digital Pinoys, urged social media content creators and influencers to stop endorsing unregistered illegal gambling sites and disclose to the authorities the contacts of these sites.
Digital Pinoys on Influencers Endorsing Illegal Gambling Sites
In a statement, Ronald Gustilo, the National Campaigner for Digital Pinoys, reminded influencers to consider the consequences of promoting unregulated gambling operators, as their viewers could become victims of these sites’ illicit activities.
“Aside from operating without proper permits, illegal gambling sites were also believed to be involved in previous incidents of unauthorized transactions on e-wallet and online banking accounts.”
Ronald Gustilo, National Campaigner, Digital Pinoys
Last July, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) issued a warning to the public against using gambling apps. They also emphasized the importance of caution when entering information on dubious websites to avoid phishing attacks.
Interestingly, these phishing attacks were similar to those used by hackers in the notorious GCash issue earlier this year, which led to some users losing funds through unrecognized transactions. This was disclosed by Gilda Maquilan, GCash’s Vice President for Corporate Communications.
Furthermore, Gustilo asked content creators and influencers endorsing illegal gambling sites to report any contacts they have with these illegal gambling sites to the relevant government agencies.
“By disclosing their contacts working with illegal gambling sites, social media influencers will be giving the campaign against the illegal activities of online gambling site operators a big boost.”
Ronald Gustilo, National Campaigner, Digital Pinoys
Digital Pinoys on Concerned Government Agencies
In July, Digital Pinoys wrote a letter to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), asking the agency to ban several online gambling websites, such as Philwin and Tapw1n, that are not registered with the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
Gustilo believes the national government should coordinate with networks that host illegal gambling sites. He cited that most of the blacklisted websites by the NTC are hosted by Cloudflare, Amazon, and Microsoft.
“More than 90% of blocked illegal gambling websites were hosted by Cloudflare, Amazon, and Microsoft. If the government will be able to make these hosting providers cooperate, the campaign against illegal gambling sites will be given a huge boost.”
Ronald Gustilo, National Campaigner, Digital Pinoys
Also in July, PAGCOR exclusively confirmed on BitPinas that “PhilWin Casino Online,” “PHLWin Online Casino,” or most commonly known as “PhlWin,” is neither a licensed nor an accredited online/remote gaming platform/service provider.
“Please be informed that PHILWIN is NEITHER a PAGCOR licensed NOR an accredited online/remote gaming platform/service provider.”
PAGCOR, Statement to BitPinas
PAGCOR reminded the public that they can verify the registration of a gambling site simply by visiting its website. It also reminded influencers endorsing illegal gambling sites to stop doing so.
“Social media influencers should stop engaging with unregistered online gambling sites as their endorsement creates more victims. They should be aware that it is their endorsement that helps create the situation for people to be duped by these illegal sites.”
Ronald Gustilo, National Campaigner, Digital Pinoys
“PAGCOR advocates for responsible gaming only through legitimate online gaming operations.”
PAGCOR, Statement to BitPinas
This article is published on BitPinas: Stop Endorsing Illegal Gambling Sites and Disclose Site Contacts, Content Creators Urged
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