Philippine authorities have confirmed that more than 150 foreigners were arrested over the weekend in an illegal gambling raid in Cebu.
The raid was requested by the Indonesian embassy. Winston Casio, a spokesman for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, stated that there are “at least three scam farms” operated by Chinese, Indonesian, and Myanmar nationals.
Agents found dozens of people on makeshift workstations inside a resort on the central island of Cebu. Casino also stated that the organization had seen enough to file a cybercrime offense for facilitating illegal gambling and trafficking.
The local Cebu newspaper reported that 162 foreign nationals were found at the resort, including 83 from China, 70 from Indonesia, six from Myanmar, two from Taiwan, and one from Malaysia. The immigration bureau stated that the foreigners will be temporarily detained before deportation to their home country.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said, “This will serve as a warning to those who might attempt to start illegal online gambling operations, which the President has already banned.”
Philippine Illegal Gambling Crackdown
In July of 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially banned the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) program that unintentionally catered to illegal gambling activities. While the POGO program was regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the criminal underworld would use the program as a front for their illegal operations without obtaining a license.
Over recent years, the POGO program has caught backlash from prominent residents, select senators, and even cities. Now that the offshore operator program has been deemed illegal, criminals have no front, but the country still has to take them out. Since offshore operators don’t have to have a brick-and-mortar casino to operate from, many operations are housed in office centers or incognito structures.
Online Casinos In The Philippines
Despite removing the POGO program, online casinos still thrive in the Philippines. Since PAGCOR also licenses online casinos, they can offer their services online. The real difference is that legit casinos offer these operations.
Legal online casinos in PH are often offered from outside sources but can also be housed in the Philippines from one of the many domestic casinos. Since PAGCOR regulates all domestic casinos, those operations also fall under the PAGCOR umbrella. Offshore casinos are also licensed by a governing body and process licensing, assuring their players that the games are fair.