Snapshot

If a website/app offers casino-style games (slots, live dealer, roulette, blackjack, sabong derivatives, etc.) without authority under Philippine law, it is illegal. You can (and should) report it. This guide explains the laws, who regulates what, where to complain, evidence you need, how cases proceed, how to request site/app blocking, and practical templates.

Legal Foundations (Plain-English)

Unauthorized gambling is a crime. Running, financing, maintaining, or participating in unlicensed gambling is punishable under special penal laws (e.g., stiffer penalties for illegal gambling) and related statutes.
Regulatory umbrellas (what’s “legal”):
- PAGCOR licenses and regulates land-based casinos and certain regulated online gaming under its charter and implementing rules.
- PCSO runs state lotteries/charity games; “lotto-like” sites unaffiliated with PCSO are illegal.
- Local permits do not legalize online casinos absent a national franchise/regulatory authority.
Online angle: Operating or facilitating an illegal casino through ICT systems may also trigger cybercrime offenses, anti-money laundering obligations, tax violations, and data privacy infractions.
Public officials who protect/tolerate illegal gambling risk separate criminal and administrative liability.

Rule of thumb: If the site/app is not clearly under PAGCOR or PCSO authority, or it misuses/forges permits, treat it as illegal and report.

Who Can Report

Anyone with knowledge—players, concerned citizens, teachers, parents, employees, neighbors, tech admins, or victims of fraud/rigging.
Reports can be named or anonymous, but sworn, first-hand testimony and preserved evidence greatly improve chances of prosecution.

Where to Report (and Why You Might Use Several)

PNP Cybercrime Units / Local Police
- For immediate enforcement, entrapment, onsite arrests (if there is a physical hub), and criminal complaints.
NBI (Cybercrime Division / Regional Offices)
- For multi-jurisdictional, organized, or online-only schemes; can do digital forensics and financial tracing.
DOJ Prosecutor’s Office
- File an Affidavit-Complaint (with annexes). Cases proceed to inquest (if warrantless arrests) or preliminary investigation.
PAGCOR
- To verify licensing claims and flag unlicensed operators abusing PAGCOR’s name/brand.
DICT / CICC (Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center) and NTC
- For site/app blocking requests, domain/IP coordination with ISPs, and cross-agency action.
AMLC (through covered institutions)
- For suspicious transaction reports when gambling proceeds are laundered via banks/e-wallets.
App Stores, Registrars, Hosts, and Payment Channels
- Parallel abuse reports for takedown or merchant offboarding (Google Play/Apple, domain registrars, hosting providers, e-wallets/banks).

Using both criminal and regulatory routes increases the odds of swift disruption (blocking/offboarding) and prosecution.

Evidence: What to Gather and How to Preserve It

A. Your Sworn Narrative (Personal Knowledge)

Dates/times, URLs, app names/versions, how you found the site, how bets/payouts worked, who you interacted with, amounts, and any deception/threats.
If there’s a local “office” or hub (call center, payment desk), capture address/landmarks discreetly.

B. Digital Artifacts (Keep Originals)

Screenshots/recordings of:
- Landing pages, T&Cs, account dashboards.
- Deposit/withdrawal flows; cashier pages; error messages.
- Chats/emails/SMS/notifications from support/agents.
URLs and technical markers:
- Full URL (with parameters), WHOIS snapshot (if available), IPs displayed, social media handles, Telegram/WhatsApp groups.
Payment Proofs:
- E-wallet/bank receipts, transaction IDs, reference numbers, time stamps, amounts, counterpart account names/handles.
Device/metadata:
- Note device model/OS/browser; keep original files (PNG/JPG/MP4) with metadata intact.

C. Witnesses and Corroboration

Usernames/handles of other players, agents, collectors, or recruiters.
Any marketing collaterals (ads, flyers, FB pages, affiliate links).

Chain of custody: Label each item (Annex “A-1”, “A-2” …), keep originals, and provide clean copies to investigators. Surrender devices only against proper receipt and after consulting counsel if necessary.

Reporting Pathways (Step-by-Step)

Route 1 — Rapid Disruption (Blocking/Offboarding)

Evidence pack: assemble screenshots, URLs, transaction receipts, and your contact info (or state you prefer anonymity).
Regulatory referrals:
- Submit to PAGCOR (licensing verification & enforcement referral).
- Submit to DICT/CICC/NTC (request site/app blocking; include URLs, IPs, app store links).
Payment channel escalation:
- Report to e-wallet/bank fraud teams (merchant/recipient IDs). Ask for offboarding and note you will file a criminal complaint.

Route 2 — Criminal Complaint (Stronger, but Heavier Lift)

Draft a Sworn Affidavit-Complaint (template below).
Attach Annexes: screenshots, receipts, chat transcripts, domain/host info, and a simple timeline.
File with NBI or PNP cyber units and/or DOJ Prosecutor.
Cooperate in forensics (if requested): headers, device logs, original files.
Attend preliminary investigation; prosecutors determine probable cause. If found, they file an Information in court.

You can do Route 1 and Route 2 in parallel—one disrupts access/payments fast; the other seeks prosecution.

Special Scenarios

Money Not Released / Withdrawal Frozen: Prioritize criminal/regulatory complaints; consider civil recovery later. Avoid public posts that tip off operators before enforcement acts.
Minors Targeted: Flag immediately—penalties worsen; child-protection laws may apply.
Inside the Workplace or School: Inform admin/security, then report to authorities; preserve CCTV or access logs if available.
Physical Hubs / “Collectors”: Provide addresses/vehicle plates/time patterns; these enable entrapment and warrants.
Cross-Border Operators: Philippine law can still apply if offers, bets, or payments occur here; agencies may coordinate with foreign partners and request domain takedowns.

Do’s and Don’ts

Keep a private incident log (dates, times, amounts, what happened).
Back up original digital files.
Ask for case/blotter numbers and the investigator’s name/rank.
Consider witness protection if threats arise; document all threats.

DON’T

Attempt DIY entrapment or hacking.
Trespass or steal “proof.”
Pay bribes or negotiate “settlements” with operators.
Publicly leak evidence that could burn investigations.

How Investigations Typically Unfold

Complaint intake & validation (lawful source, sufficiency of facts).
Open-source intel & financial tracing (domains, hosts, payment rails).
Preservation requests to platforms, ISPs, payment processors.
Covert ops (test buys), then warrants/entrapment (if warranted).
Seizure & forensics (devices, accounts, wallets), arrests.
Inquest/prelim investigation → filing in court.
Prosecution & trial (witnesses, digital evidence, expert testimony).
Judgment; forfeiture of proceeds/equipment; possible blocking orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I report anonymously? Yes, for tips. For prosecution, named, sworn witnesses are usually needed. You may request measures to protect your identity.

I gambled there—will I be charged if I report? Bettors can face liability. Speak to a lawyer before submitting statements that may incriminate you; cooperation can still be valuable to authorities.

They claim to be “licensed.” How do I know? Ask regulators to verify. Misuse of PAGCOR/PCSO names, forged seals, or expired/foreign permits do not legalize operations here.

Will the site be blocked immediately? Blocking requires process and coordination. Provide complete technical details (URLs, domains, IPs, app links) to speed it up.

Can I get my money back? Possibly through criminal restitution, civil claims, or chargeback paths, depending on facts and timing. Document everything and follow investigators’ advice.

Templates

A) Incident Report (for PNP/NBI/DICT/NTC/PAGCOR)

Subject: Report of Illegal Online Casino Complainant: [Name] (or “Anonymous”), [Address/City], [Contact] Platform(s): [Full URLs/app names/store links] Dates/Times: [Timeline of activity] Description: [How the site operates; games offered; deposit/withdrawal flow; any misrepresentations] Evidence Submitted: [Annex A – screenshots; Annex B – e-wallet receipts; Annex C – chat logs; Annex D – domain info] Harm/Risk: [Amounts lost, minors targeted, workplace/school impact, threats] Action Requested: Investigation, blocking/offboarding, prosecution, and preservation requests.

B) Affidavit-Complaint (for Prosecutor/NBI/PNP)

AFFIDAVIT-COMPLAINT I, [Full Name], of legal age, [status], residing at [address], after being duly sworn, state:

On [date] and subsequent dates, I personally accessed [full URL/app], which offered casino-style gambling without visible proof of Philippine regulatory authority.

I created account [username/email], deposited ₱[amount] via [bank/e-wallet] (TxIDs in Annex “B”), and played [games].

The platform processed wagers/payouts and solicited further deposits through [methods].

Attached are screenshots/recordings (Annex “A”), payment proofs (Annex “B”), and communications (Annex “C”).

To my knowledge, the operator is unlicensed in the Philippines. I respectfully pray that respondents be charged for illegal gambling and related offenses, and that proceeds/equipment be seized and forfeited. Signature/Date (ID details attached) Jurat/Notarial block

Data Privacy & Personal Safety

Share only necessary personal data with authorities; request confidentiality.
If threatened, blotter immediately and keep copies of threats.
Avoid posting your full ID/financial info publicly; redact where appropriate.

Key Takeaways

Unlicensed online casinos are illegal even if servers are offshore but offers, bets, or payments touch the Philippines.
Maximize impact by filing criminal complaints while also pushing blocking/offboarding via regulators, telecom/ICT, app stores, and payment rails.
Good evidence wins cases: sworn personal account, preserved screenshots/receipts, and technical markers (URLs, IPs, app links).
Do not conduct risky DIY stings; let PNP/NBI handle entrapment and warrants.
If you’ve lost money, document early—recovery avenues exist but depend on timely, well-documented action.

This guide provides general information on Philippine practice. For sensitive or high-risk situations, consult a Philippine lawyer and coordinate promptly with law enforcement and regulators.