How to Report an Online Gambling Scam
A comprehensive legal-practice guide for the Philippines (June 2025 edition)
Quick view:
- Confirm it’s a scam ➜ 2. Collect evidence ➜ 3. Choose the right agency ➜ 4. File an affidavit-complaint ➜ 5. Follow-through & recover funds
1 | What counts as an online-gambling scam?
| Typical scheme | Red-flag behaviour | Probable criminal liabilities |
|---|---|---|
| Unlicensed “casino” site | No PAGCOR/CEZA/AFAB licence number or bogus certificate | Illegal gambling (P.D. 1602), Cybercrime-aided gambling (R.A. 10175) |
| Rigged or “ghost” games | Algorithms never audited; impossible odds; instant account freeze on wins | Estafa/Swindling (Art. 315, RPC), Fraud under R.A. 10175 |
| Bonus-withdrawal bait | Deposit bonuses that can’t be encashed due to hidden “wagering requirements” | Unfair trade practice (R.A. 7394) |
| Investment dressed as betting | “Double your money in 30 days via slots/bingo” | Securities fraud (Secs. 8 & 26, R.A. 8799) |
| Phishing / “customer-support” theft | Fake KYC e-mails steal e-wallet PINs | Qualified theft, Data Privacy Act (R.A. 10173) |
2 | Governing laws & regulators (cheat-sheet)
| Law / charter | Key sections | What it covers | Lead agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| P.D. 1869 (PAGCOR Charter, as amended) | Secs. 10–14 | Grants PAGCOR exclusive authority over casino gaming (including on-line if licensed) | PAGCOR |
| P.D. 1602 | Entire decree | Penalises all forms of illegal gambling | PNP, NBI |
| R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime) | Sec. 6 & Sec. 21 | Raises penalties when crimes are computer-aided; gives broad venue | NBI-CCD, PNP-ACG, DOJ-OOC |
| R.A. 10927 (AMLA amendment) | Sec. 4(f) | Tags casinos as “covered persons” → freeze orders & suspicious-transaction reporting | AMLC |
| R.A. 7394 (Consumer Act) | Arts. 50–53 | Prohibits deceptive sales practices | DTI |
| R.A. 8799 (Securities Regulation Code) | Secs. 8, 26 | Outlaws sale of unregistered “investment contracts” | SEC-EIPD |
| BSP Circular 1048 (2020) | §III-C | Charge-back windows for e-wallet/ATM disputes | BSP & issuing banks |
3 | Step 1 — Verify and document
Check the licence. Search “List of Licensed Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs)” on pagcor.ph or ceza.gov.ph. If the domain or brand is absent, presume illegality.
Freeze your account activity (stop deposits).
Collect robust evidence (minimum set for prosecutors):
- Full-screen screenshots of: landing page (showing URL), account dashboard, error messages, chat logs.
- E-mail/SMS confirmations of deposits & failed withdrawals.
- Bank/e-money transaction receipts (PDF or scanned).
- A narrated screen-recording (showing click-flow to the disputed outcome) is ideal.
- Save the HTML source or use
whoisto capture domain ownership date.
Write a succinct timeline—dates, times (Philippine Time), peso amounts lost, mode of payment.
Tip: Put everything on a USB flash drive and print hard copies; prosecutors still work with physical folders.
4 | Step 2 — Choose where to complain
A. Law-enforcement routes
| Office | How to file | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| NBI Cybercrime Division (Taft Avenue or any Regional Office) | Walk-in ➜ “NBI Complaint & Information Form” + affidavit + ID + evidence USB; or e-mail ccd@nbi.gov.ph | High-value or syndicated scams; cross-border tracing |
| PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (Camp Crame & regional RCCUs) | Walk-in or online report at acg.pnp.gov.ph | Fast site takedown requests; local arrests |
| Local Police Station | Book blotter entry on same day | Quick proof of “first resort” (useful for banks) |
B. Regulatory & ancillary channels
| Agency | When to involve | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| PAGCOR Security & Monitoring | Licensed operator goes rogue | Hotline 852-7755 loc 5333 / info@pagcor.ph |
| SEC—Enforcement & Investor Protection Dept. | “Betting-investment” pitch | eipd@sec.gov.ph |
| Bangko Sentral / Issuing Bank | To dispute card/e-wallet debits (≤15 calendar days) | Via mobile-app “Dispute” or written letter |
| AMLC | If ≥₱500 k lost or suspicion of laundering | Through your bank’s Compliance Officer (they escalate) |
| National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) | To block domain/IP | Letter + NBI or PNP endorsement |
5 | Step 3 — Drafting & filing an Affidavit-Complaint
Essential parts
Heading — “AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLAINT” (NBI CCD / PNP ACG)
Personal details — name, age, civil status, address, nationality.
Narrative — numbered paragraphs. State all elements of the offense:
- Time, date, and place of each act.
- Specific deceit (e.g., “respondent claimed withdrawals processed within 24 hours; mine was never honored”).
- Money or data lost.
Legal provisions violated (cite P.D. 1602, Art. 315 RPC, R.A. 10175 §6).
Prayer — request investigation, prosecution, asset freeze, and restitution.
Verification & jurat — sworn before prosecutor or notary.
Attach: printed screenshots, bank slips, printed e-mails. Sign every page (countersign exhibits). Bring at least three (3) complete sets.
6 | Venue & jurisdiction pointers
| Crime | Where you may file |
|---|---|
| Cyber-aided estafa / illegal gambling | Any place where (a) any computer or device was used, or (b) any element occurred (R.A. 10175 §21). If you played in Quezon City on a server abroad, QC is a valid venue. |
| Civil action for refund (≤₱2 M) | Small Claims Court at your city/municipality of residence. |
| Administrative complaint vs. licensee | PAGCOR Corporate Office (Pasay) or via e-mail. |
7 | What happens next?
- Evaluation & subpoena – The investigating agent issues a subpoena to the respondent and may initiate URL preservation requests to ISPs.
- Digital forensics – NBI/PNP may image your device or coordinate with INTERPOL for foreign hosts.
- Inquest or preliminary investigation – DOJ resolves prima facie case; if found, an Information is filed in the proper court.
- Asset-freeze petition – The AMLC can secure a 20-day freeze order (AMLA §10).
- Trial & restitution – Upon conviction, the court can award actual damages and order the return of funds (RPC Art. 104).
8 | Recovering or limiting your financial loss
| Remedy | How & when |
|---|---|
| Charge-back / dispute | File within 15 calendar days (BSP Circ. 1048) if card/e-wallet used on an unlicensed site. |
| Civil action for damages | Small Claims (≤₱2 M) or regular RTC suit (> ₱2 M). Attach NBI blotter as proof of fraud. |
| Restitution via criminal case | Automatically included in sentencing; file separate Motion to Determine Damages if amounts need computation. |
| Out-of-court settlement | Some licensed e-gaming firms will refund to avoid licence suspension; negotiate through PAGCOR. |
9 | Preventive checklist for the future
- Always verify licence on PAGCOR/CEZA/AFAB websites.
- Use strong KYC – deposit only via your own e-wallet/bank that has 2-factor authentication.
- Read the T&C – especially wagering requirements and withdrawal caps.
- Set a strict deposit limit and never treat gambling as investment.
- Watch for spelling/grammar errors – common in clone or phishing sites.
- Separate e-mail address for gaming accounts to limit data exposure.
10 | Frequently asked questions
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Is any online casino legal for Filipinos? | Yes, if it is expressly licensed by PAGCOR for the domestic market (e.g., “PIGO” license). Offshore-only POGOs may legally take non-Philippine bettors but not locals. |
| Are my winnings taxable? | Domestic players: winnings are generally tax-exempt under NIRC §24(B); foreigners betting in PH-licensed e-casinos pay 25 % final tax (CREATE Act). |
| What if the operator is abroad? | Law enforcement will use Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) and INTERPOL. Expect longer timelines but still worth filing—freeze orders can latch onto local payment channels. |
| Can I stay anonymous? | No. Prosecutors need your sworn statement and ID; however, the case file is confidential until docketed in court. |
11 | Penalties snapshot (2025 values)
| Offense | Statutory penalty |
|---|---|
| Illegal gambling (P.D. 1602) | Fine ₱50 k–₱200 k + 3 mos.–6 yrs. prison |
| Cyber-fraud/estafa (R.A. 10175 + RPC) | Prisión mayor (6 yrs. 1 day – 12 yrs.) + ₱200 k–₱1 M fine; civil liability equal to loss |
| Unregistered securities (R.A. 8799) | Fine up to ₱5 M or 21 yrs. jail, or both |
| Non-compliance with AMLA (casino) | Penalty up to ₱500 k per transaction + possible licence revocation |
12 | Model Affidavit-Complaint (outline)
(Use block letters below as a drafting aid — delete this box before filing)
AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLAINT I, Juan Dela Cruz, Filipino, of legal age,, after being sworn, state:
- On 12 May 2025 at around 8:30 p.m., I accessed www.play-fastwin.live using my laptop at my residence in Quezon City.
- The website represented that it is “licensed by PAGCOR under No. OG1234”.
- Between 12 May and 14 May 2025 I deposited an aggregate of ₱150,000 via GCash and BPI Online (see Annex “A”).
- On 14 May 2025 my account balance showed ₱245,350 yet all withdrawal requests were rejected with the message “Security review” (Annex “B”).
- PAGCOR confirmed on 20 May 2025 that “play-fastwin.live” is not on its list of licensed e-gaming operators (Annex “C”).
- I believe respondents are liable for Illegal Gambling under P.D. 1602, Estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, and Cybercrime-aided fraud under R.A. 10175. PRAYER: Wherefore, I request that respondents be investigated and prosecuted, their assets frozen, and my losses restored. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, …
13 | Conclusion
The Philippines has a multi-layered enforcement ecosystem—PAGCOR for licensing, the SEC for investment-type scams, the NBI/PNP for criminal prosecution, and the AMLC/BSP for financial recovery. Your strongest leverage comes from a well-documented affidavit-complaint filed swiftly. Act within bank dispute windows, marshal digital proof, and engage the right agency first; doing so can mean the difference between a total loss and successful restitution.
Disclaimer
This article provides general legal information current as of 27 June 2025 and is not a substitute for personalised legal advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a Philippine lawyer specialising in cybercrime or gaming law.