Licensed Online Gambling Operators Highlight Illegal Risks
A coalition of licensed online gambling operators in the Philippines has raised concerns about the dangers linked to illegal platforms. They emphasized that issues such as underage access, uncontrolled betting, and financial hardship primarily arise from unlicensed operators, not from those properly regulated.
Community members said the group applauds the Senate for focusing its recent investigation on the root cause of online gambling problems: the surge of illegal gambling sites. This focus, they believe, is crucial to protecting Filipino players and maintaining a safe gaming environment.
Commitment to Safe and Responsible Gaming
The PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines, formed by several licensed operators, stated that their mission is clear: to foster a safe and sustainable online gambling environment that benefits the Filipino nation. They explained that licensed operators undergo stringent oversight, regular audits, and face sanctions if rules are violated.
Officials reported that these operators implement comprehensive Know-Your-Customer (KYC) procedures, enforce strict age verification, and promote responsible gaming practices. The alliance stressed that where regulation exists, player protection is ensured; conversely, where illegal gambling thrives, safeguards disappear.
Alarming Data on Illegal Gambling Sites
During a Senate Committee on Games and Amusement hearing, data revealed that nearly 12,000 illegal gambling websites operate in the Philippines. This includes over 6,300 online casino sites and approximately 4,800 online sabong (cockfighting) platforms. Although the data’s source and full implications were not extensively discussed, it paints a stark picture of the illegal market’s scale.
Unified Call for Regulatory Enforcement
Licensed operators expressed alignment with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ goals to protect consumers and uphold financial integrity. They reiterated that the most effective way to achieve these goals is by keeping lawful activities within a regulated framework that uses traceable and supervised payment systems.
Local leaders noted the risks of disconnecting licensed operators from online payment channels. They warned that such measures would not eliminate gambling but would instead push players toward unregulated corners of the internet. In those areas, transactions become untraceable, tax revenues are lost, and harms are far harder to detect and address.
“Licensed operators are subject to oversight, audits, and sanctions,” a spokesperson for the PlaySafe Alliance said. “Where regulation exists, protection exists; where illegality thrives, protection vanishes.”
Looking Ahead
The collective urges authorities to focus on shutting down illegal operators and strengthening regulatory mechanisms. They believe this approach will safeguard Filipino players, uphold fiscal responsibility, and promote a responsible gaming culture nationwide.
For more news and updates on licensed online gambling operators, visit Filipinokami.com.
