CICC to influencers: Take down content endorsing illegal online gambling

The Department of Information and Communications Technology’s Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center has ordered social media influencers to take down content promoting illegal online gambling starting Friday until the end of the week.

“Several influencers and content creators promoting illegal gambling content have been identified,” CICC Deputy Executive Director and DICT Assistant Secretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso said at a press conference.

With this, Paraiso said erring influencers and content creators have “until the end of this week to take down any materials promoting illegal online gambling.”

“Those who fail to comply will face legal action,” he emphasized.

The CICC deputy executive director further encouraged influencers to stop promoting illegal online activities such as endorsing unregistered products.

If influencers and content creators will fail to comply, starting Monday, July 14, Paraiso said the CICC will ask social media platforms to take down the content as well the channels or pages promoting illegal online gambling and activities.

“Starting next week the CICC will take action,” he said.

In observance of due process, the CICC official said the agency will send letters to erring influencers to “ask them to explain why the CICC should not pursue cases against them.”

“If they've taken it down…. we will not pursue action,” he said.

“Kaya sila na ang magkusa na tanggalin,” he added.

Moreover, Paraiso said the CICC is currently pursuing enforcement action against over 150 identified websites.

“These are queued for takedown, as the agency strengthens its links with internet service providers and relevant law enforcement partners,” he said.

The CICC is collaborating with Digital Pinoys in intensifying its campaign to “dismantle the widespread operations of illegal online gambling in the country.”

Paraiso further urged individuals, groups, and platform partners who wish to collaborate in the effort to curb illegal online activities by sharing relevant online data, reports, and patterns that may help in tracking, identifying, and shutting down digital criminal operations. 

“Unlike licensed operators under the supervision of PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.), these illegal platforms operate with no oversight. They are built to be predatory: easy to access, difficult to trace, and deliberately designed to avoid age verification, tax obligations, and platform accountability,” he said.

“Their unchecked growth not only puts individuals at financial and psychological risk, but also deprives the nation of revenues that could fund essential public services,” he added.

The CICC’s move came amidst scrutiny by lawmakers with some seeking to impose stricter regulations or a total ban on online gambling.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., on the other hand, ordered the dismantling of all billboards and out-of-home (OOH) gambling advertisements by August 15. —AOL, GMA Integrated News