The Philippine government has launched a joint operation to combat the rising epidemic of online gambling, which has been exploiting Filipino citizens, as reported by RH Val Gonzales.

The Interagency Alliance composed of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has been formed to address the issue.

The move comes after the CICC received nearly 2,000 complaints from January 1 to March 1 this year regarding illegal online gambling activities.

CICC Executive Director and Undersecretary Renato Paraiso described the surge in complaints as clear evidence of the growing addiction to online gambling among Filipinos, which has led to significant negative effects on their financial well-being.

CICC has formally submitted evidence, including operator and promoter files of online gambling platforms, to ACG Director Police Brigadier General Wilson Asueta for a coordinated, large-scale crackdown.

The CICC is urging the public to report illegal online gambling activities through hotline 1326. Authorities are also monitoring vloggers and influencers who encourage their followers to participate in online gambling, as part of ongoing verification and enforcement efforts.