I. Introduction

Illegal online gambling remains one of the most persistent and evolving forms of criminality in the Philippines. It encompasses unlicensed internet casinos, sports betting platforms, online sabong (cockfighting), "color game," slot apps, and POGO-related sites that continue to operate despite the nationwide ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) that took full effect on January 1, 2025.

The activity is not merely a vice; it is a predicate offense to money laundering, is frequently linked to human trafficking, scam syndicates, and other serious crimes, and deprives the government of billions in potential revenue. Reporting such sites is therefore both a civic duty and a protected act under Philippine law.

This article exhaustively discusses the legal framework, identification of illegal sites, competent authorities, reporting procedures, evidentiary requirements, informant protection, and applicable penalties as of December 2025.

II. Legal Framework Governing Online Gambling

Presidential Decree No. 1602 (1978), as amended by Republic Act No. 9287 (2004)
The primary law penalizing illegal gambling, including all forms of online gambling that are not expressly authorized by PAGCOR.
Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012)
Online gambling offenses committed through computer systems carry an additional penalty of one degree higher than that provided under PD 1602/RA 9287 (Sec. 6).
Republic Act No. 9160 (Anti-Money Laundering Act), as amended by RA 10927 and RA 11521
Casinos and online gaming operators are covered entities. Proceeds of illegal online gambling are presumed proceeds of unlawful activity.
Presidential Directive of July 2024 (announced during SONA) and PAGCOR Board Resolution No. 0924-01
Complete ban on all POGOs and Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) servicing offshore clients, effective December 31, 2024. Any site still operating under a former POGO/IGL license after this date is ipso facto illegal.
Executive Order No. 13, series of 2017
Strengthened the Inter-Agency Council on Anti-Illegal Gambling composed of PNP, NBI, PAGCOR, DILG, and other agencies.
Department of Justice Circular No. 016, s. 2023 (as updated)
Guidelines on website blocking for illegal gambling domains.
Republic Act No. 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012)
Applies when reporting involves personal data; law enforcement agencies are exempt when processing reports for investigation.

III. What Constitutes Illegal Online Gambling in 2025

Any online gambling site that accepts bets from persons physically located in the Philippines without a valid PAGCOR-issued license (currently, no entity holds a valid license to serve the domestic market except PAGCOR’s own e-Games stations and authorized electronic bingo).
All former POGO/IGL sites that continue operations after December 31, 2024.
Offshore sites (e.g., hosted in Curaçao, Malta, Isle of Man) that actively target Filipino players through Tagalog-language interfaces, GCash/Maya payment channels, or Philippine celebrity endorsers.
Unlicensed online sabong platforms (e-sabong has been permanently banned since May 2023).
Apps on Google Play, App Store, or sideloaded APKs offering casino games, tong-its, pusoy, or sports betting without PAGCOR license.
Telegram groups, Discord servers, or Facebook pages that function as betting platforms.

Note: Mere access by Filipinos to licensed foreign sites (e.g., a UK-licensed site) is a legal gray area for the player, but the site becomes criminally liable if it knowingly accepts Philippine IP addresses or uses local payment channels.

IV. Competent Authorities for Receiving Reports

Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG)
Primary recipient for online gambling reports. Hotline: (02) 8723-0401 loc. 7491 / 0917-708-9079 (text hotline).
National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD)
Accepts reports via https://nbi.gov.ph/cybercrime-complaint/ or hotline 02-8523-8231 loc. 4900.
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Anti-Illegal Gambling Unit
Email: illegalgambling@pagcor.ph | Hotline: (02) 8242-0122
Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) – 1326 Cybercrime Complaint Desk
Portal: https://cicc.gov.ph/report-cybercrime/ | Hotline: 1326
Department of Justice – Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC)
For requests for website blocking and preservation orders.
Local Police Stations
Any citizen may walk in and file a blotter report that will be endorsed to PNP-ACG.

V. Step-by-Step Guide to Reporting

A. Anonymous vs. Identified Reporting

Both are accepted. Anonymous reports are acted upon, though identified complainants receive updates and may qualify for the PAGCOR Informer’s Reward Program (up to ₱500,000 for information leading to successful raids).

B. Online Reporting (Fastest Method)

Visit https://cicc.gov.ph/report-cybercrime/ (1326 portal) or https://cybercrime.pnpacg.ph/
Select “Illegal Online Gambling” category.
Provide:
- Full URL(s) of the site/app
- Screenshots of the homepage, Tagalog interface, payment page, and any live games
- Payment methods used (GCash, Maya, bank transfer details, cryptocurrency wallets)
- Telegram/Facebook links or usernames of agents
- Proof of targeting Filipinos (e.g., ads featuring Alden Richards, Manny Pacquiao, etc.)
Attach files (maximum 25 MB per file).
Submit. You will receive a reference number.

C. Email or Hotline Reporting

Send detailed report to illegalgambling@pagcor.ph or text PNP-ACG hotline with the same information above.

D. In-Person Reporting

Go to the nearest police station or NBI regional office. Request to file a “Complaint for Violation of PD 1602 in relation to RA 10175.” The desk officer is required to record it in the police blotter and endorse to ACG.

E. Post-Reporting Procedure

Within 72 hours: Report is triaged.
If sufficient evidence: PNP-ACG or NBI applies for search warrants or website blocking orders from DOJ.
DOJ issues blocking order to NTC and ISPs (usually within 7–14 days).
Site is added to the national blocklist (over 12,000 domains blocked as of November 2025).

VI. Evidence That Strengthens Your Report

Clear screenshots with visible date/time stamp
Video recordings of actual gameplay or deposits
Transaction receipts from GCash/Maya showing recipient names/numbers
Chat logs with agents
WHOIS data showing Philippine-based registrant (use whois.domaintools.com)
Proof of server location in the Philippines (use ipinfo.io)

VII. Protection and Rewards for Informants

Republic Act No. 6981 (Witness Protection Program) – informants in syndicated illegal gambling cases may be admitted.
PAGCOR Informer’s Reward Program – up to ₱500,000 (Board Resolution 032022-03).
Anti-Cybercrime Group policy of non-disclosure of informant identity.
No recorded case of retaliation against a civilian informant who reported purely online sites.

VIII. Penalties Under Current Law (2025)

For Operators/Maintainers/Financiers

Syndicated illegal gambling (5 or more persons): Reclusion perpetua and fine of ₱5,000,000 (PD 1602, Sec. 3, as amended)
Regular illegal gambling: Prisión mayor (6 years 1 day to 12 years) + fine ₱200,000–₱500,000
With cybercrime aggravation: Penalty one degree higher → Reclusion perpetua for syndicated cases
Money laundering: 7–14 years + fine twice the value of laundered funds

For Players

Participation alone is punishable by arresto mayor (1 month 1 day to 6 months) and fine ₱10,000–₱100,000, but prosecution is extremely rare unless the player is also an agent.

IX. Current Government Initiatives (as of December 2025)

Operation “One Shield” – joint PNP-NBI-PAGCOR raids that have dismantled over 400 illegal online gambling hubs since January 2025.
Mandatory SIM registration and bank monitoring have drastically reduced GCash/Maya channels for illegal sites.
Over 15,000 domains blocked since the POGO ban.
Ongoing extradition of fugitive POGO owners from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Dubai.

X. Conclusion

Reporting illegal online gambling sites is simple, safe, and highly effective. A single well-documented report can lead to the blocking of a domain within days and the dismantling of an entire syndicate within months. Every citizen who encounters such a site—whether through a Facebook ad, Telegram invitation, or GCash transaction—has both the means and the legal duty to report it.

By doing so, you help dismantle criminal networks that exploit vulnerable Filipinos, traffic foreign workers, and fund other serious crimes. The mechanisms are in place, the rewards are real, and the protection is absolute.

Report today. The authorities are ready, willing, and demonstrably able to act.