How to File a Complaint Against an Online Casino Scam in the Philippines (Full Guide)

This article is general information for the Philippine context. It isn’t a substitute for advice from a Philippine lawyer. If you’ve lost money, act quickly—deadlines, evidence, and account-freeze opportunities are time-sensitive.

1) First things first: are online casinos legal for Philippine residents?

PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) regulates much of the local gambling space. Some e-gaming is allowed in controlled forms, but many online casinos that target the public are unlicensed or outright illegal, especially those hosted offshore.
If the site claims a foreign license (e.g., Curaçao, Isle of Man, etc.), that doesn’t make it legal for PH players. Cross-border gambling and payment processing may still violate Philippine law and your funds have very limited protection.
Red flags of a scam: guaranteed wins, “VIP unlock fees,” manipulated game outcomes, withdrawal denials, pressure to deposit via crypto/e-wallets, impersonation of legitimate brands, or “agent/telegram” recruitment schemes.

2) What crimes or violations might apply?

Depending on the facts, authorities often consider a mix of these:

Estafa (Swindling) under the Revised Penal Code – deceit/false pretenses causing you to part with money.
Cybercrime-related offenses (e.g., computer-related fraud) – penalties can be increased when ICT is used.
Illegal gambling statutes – operating or profiting from illegal gambling activities.
Access device / electronic fraud laws – when credit/debit cards, e-wallets, or electronic payments are misused.
Data Privacy violations – if your personal data was harvested or misused.
Money laundering – the proceeds may be laundered through bank/e-wallet/crypto channels; regulators can sometimes freeze or trace assets.

Why this matters: identifying the right theories helps you file with the correct agencies and ask for the right remedies (criminal, administrative, civil, or a combination).

3) Preserve your evidence immediately

Do this before confronting anyone or posting online.

Screenshots/recordings of:
- Registration pages, T&Cs, bonus rules
- Deposit/withdrawal screens, wallet addresses, timestamps
- Game results where outcomes looked rigged
- Chat/email/Telegram/FB messages with “agents” or support
Payment records:
- Bank slips/statements, e-wallet receipts, reference numbers
- Crypto transaction hashes and wallet addresses
Technical breadcrumbs:
- Website URLs, mirror domains, IP (if you have it), app APKs
Identity links:
- Names, phone numbers, social media profiles, GCash/Maya names, email addresses of handlers
Loss summary:
- A dated transaction log (date/time, amount, channel, reference no., purpose)
Device integrity:
- Don’t factory-reset your phone/computer yet—digital forensics may be useful.

Tip: Save copies to at least two places (local + cloud/USB). Don’t edit originals.

4) Where to file a complaint (Philippine agencies)

You can pursue parallel tracks. It’s common to do more than one.

A) Criminal complaints / cybercrime

NBI Cybercrime Division – for investigation, preservation letters to banks/e-wallets, digital forensics, and case build-up.
PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) – accepts walk-in and online reports; can coordinate entrapment and forensics.
DOJ (Office of Cybercrime) – policy and coordination; complaints can be referred for prosecution.
CICC (under DICT) – coordinates cybercrime matters and public reporting channels.

What to bring: Valid ID, complaint-affidavit (see template below), evidence bundle, list of suspects/handles, and your loss summary. Be ready to execute and notarize an affidavit.

B) Gambling regulator & administrative action

PAGCOR – if the operator claims to be PAGCOR-licensed, report it so PAGCOR can verify and take action (including against licensed parties violating terms).
NTC – upon coordination with law enforcement/DOJ, illegal gambling sites may be subject to blocking orders. Your report helps the case history.

C) Financial regulators / payment channels

Your bank / card issuer – request chargeback/dispute for unauthorized or fraudulent transactions; ask for a temporary block on the merchant and a transaction dispute form.
E-wallets (e.g., GCash/Maya) – file a fraud report with reference numbers; ask for account flagging and merchant traceback.
AMLC (through law enforcement) – authorities may seek freeze/hold orders against accounts involved in laundering fraud proceeds.

Note: Each institution has strict time windows to dispute transactions. File immediately.

D) Civil action (to recover money)

A civil complaint for damages (e.g., based on fraud or breach) can run separately from criminal proceedings.
For smaller amounts, consider small claims court (check the current Supreme Court threshold and rules—they change).
Civil actions are useful if you can identify local assets or defendants within reach of the courts.

5) Step-by-step: building and filing your complaint-affidavit

Draft your narrative in chronological order:
- How you found the site, registration steps, promises made, actual gameplay/transactions, withdrawal denial or manipulation, communications, and loss.
Attach exhibits and label them (Annex “A”, “B”, …). Each screenshot/receipt should be referenced in the body.
Identify the parties:
- Known individuals (agents, handlers), page/admin names, contact numbers, payment accounts, and any corporate names used.
Allege the violations that fit your facts (see Section 2).
Reliefs you seek:
- Criminal investigation/prosecution
- Freezing of related accounts/wallets
- Domain/app takedown/blocking
- Restitution/return of funds
Verification & notarization:
- Sign the complaint-affidavit in the presence of a notary or authorized officer. Bring IDs.

6) Practical playbook to maximize recovery odds

Report within 24–72 hours of the last transaction to payment channels—chargebacks and holds are far likelier to succeed early.
Ask investigators to issue preservation letters to banks/e-wallets/host providers quickly (digital logs and balances move).
Trace crypto: supply transaction hashes; law enforcement can request exchange KYC data if funds hit a centralized exchange.
Don’t pay “clearance” or “tax” fees demanded by the casino to release withdrawals—this is a classic second-stage scam.
Avoid self-entrapment (posing as a buyer/agent). You may compromise your safety or taint evidence.
Use one spokesperson with authorities to keep your timeline consistent and avoid accidental contradictions.

7) Cross-border complications (offshore operators)

Jurisdiction: PH agencies can pursue crimes with PH victims even if servers/people are abroad, but expect extra steps.
Mutual legal assistance & liaison: Data requests, KYC pulls, and service of process may require inter-agency or treaty channels.
Service & enforcement: Civil judgments and criminal warrants are harder offshore; cooperation improves if funds touch PH banks/e-wallets or major exchanges.
What you can do: Provide concrete identifiers (domain WHOIS, host, wallets, social handles, exchange txids). The richer your dossier, the more actionable the lead.

8) If minors or vulnerable persons are involved

Flag this immediately; penalties and priorities change where exploitation or inducement is present.
Schools/guardians may need to be alerted; do not share sensitive images or data beyond authorities.

9) Timelines, prescription, and venue (high-level)

Move fast. Some special-law offenses have shorter prescriptive periods; banking disputes are even tighter.
Venue for criminal cases generally lies where any element occurred (e.g., where the victim is located, where the money was sent, or where communications were received). Cybercrime rules offer flexible venue when ICT is involved.
Civil cases typically follow rules on the defendant’s residence or where the cause of action arose. Check the latest rules before filing.

10) Template: Complaint-Affidavit (Editable)

COMPLAINT-AFFIDAVIT I, [Your Full Name], of legal age, Filipino, with address at [Complete Address], after having been duly sworn, depose and state:

Parties. I am the complainant. The respondents are: [Name/alias/handle], with known contacts [numbers/emails/socials], and payment accounts [bank/e-wallet/crypto wallets] believed to be used for an online casino scam operating at [URL/app name].

Summary. On [dates], respondents, by means of deceit through an online casino platform, induced me to transfer a total of ₱[amount] via [bank/e-wallet/crypto] with promises of lawful gambling services and withdrawals. My withdrawal requests were denied and further “fees” were demanded.

Detailed Facts. 3.1 On [date/time], I registered at [URL/app]. (Annex “A”: screenshot) 3.2 I deposited ₱[amount] via [channel/ref no.]. (Annex “B”: receipt) 3.3 Game results appeared manipulated / withdrawals were blocked on [date]. (Annex “C”: screenshots) 3.4 An “agent” using [name/number/handle] directed me to pay “unlock/tax/clearance” fees. (Annex “D”: chat logs) 3.5 Total loss to date is ₱[sum]. (Annex “E”: transaction log)

Violations. Respondents’ acts constitute estafa, computer-related fraud, illegal gambling, and related offenses under Philippine law.

Prayer for Relief. I respectfully request: (a) investigation and filing of appropriate charges; (b) issuance of preservation/hold/freeze requests to involved banks/e-wallets/exchanges; (c) takedown/blocking of the subject domains/apps; and (d) restitution of my funds.

Evidence. Attached are Annexes “A” to “E”, true copies of screenshots, chats, receipts, and my loss summary.

Undertaking. I am willing to identify the respondents, appear at hearings, and testify.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [date] in [city], Philippines.

[Your Name], Affiant

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN before me this [date], affiant exhibiting [ID type/number].

Notary Public / Administering Officer

11) Model annexes you can prepare today

Annex A – Account registration + T&Cs (PDF with timestamps)
Annex B – Deposit/transfer receipts (PDF merged, indexed)
Annex C – Chat transcript (exported TXT/PDF) with time zone noted
Annex D – Screenshots of failed withdrawals, error messages
Annex E – Transaction ledger (CSV with date, amount, ref no., counterparty, channel)

12) Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I get my money back if the casino is offshore? A: It’s harder, but not hopeless. If any leg of the funds hit a PH bank/e-wallet or a KYC’d crypto exchange, authorities can request freezes and KYC data. Early reporting is crucial.

Q: Should I pay the “tax/unlock fee” to release my winnings? A: No. That’s a follow-up scam. Report it with evidence.

Q: Will posting on social media help? A: It may warn others, but it won’t substitute for a proper complaint. Avoid doxxing—let authorities handle identities.

Q: Can I sue in small claims? A: Possibly, if the amount falls within the current small-claims threshold and you can name a defendant within PH jurisdiction. Check the latest Supreme Court rules or ask a lawyer.

Q: Do I need a lawyer? A: Not strictly to start a report, but having one increases your chances of proper framing, faster preservation requests, and effective venue selection.

13) Action checklist (print this)

Freeze risk: Call your bank/e-wallet/card; file disputes for each transaction.
Draft and notarize the complaint-affidavit (use the template).
Assemble Annexes A–E with filenames and captions.
File with NBI/PNP-ACG (criminal) and PAGCOR/NTC (administrative/blocking).
Keep a communications log (who you spoke to, date, reference numbers).
If crypto involved: compile all tx hashes and exchange IDs.
Consider civil recovery if a local defendant is identifiable.
Do not pay any additional “release” or “clearance” fees.

Final note

Online casino scams are designed to move your money—and the evidence—fast. The winning formula is simple but strict: document everything, report early, hit all channels, and keep pressure on payment rails. If you want, tell me your situation (amounts, channels used, what you captured) and I’ll tailor this into a ready-to-file affidavit and annex list.