Manila: Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is advocating for more stringent legislative measures to tackle the increasing prevalence of illegal online gambling, as unlicensed betting platforms continue to draw millions of Filipinos into gambling addiction. In a statement on Tuesday, Gatchalian highlighted the persistent issue of these unlicensed sites, which are rapidly multiplying and enticing more individuals into problematic gambling behavior.

According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian likened the proliferation of these sites to mushrooms, stating, "Parang kabute ang mga ito - kahit ma-block ngayon, bukas andyan na naman. It's never ending. Dapat putulin na ang ugat (These are like mushrooms - even if you block it now, it keeps coming back. It's never ending. The root of the problem must be cut)." The senator's comments came during a Senate hearing where he inquired if the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) had taken measures beyond merely blocking these illegal sites.

The CICC reported an average of 50,000 online gambling sites blocked, with 95-97 percent operating from outside the country. Authorities explained that their jurisdictional limitations mean they can only restrict access within the Philippines, highlighting the enforcement challenges posed by cross-border operations.

In response to the senator's call for legislative action, CICC Executive Director Renato Paraiso suggested appointing cyber diplomats to enhance international cybersecurity cooperation. He noted that the Philippines is currently the only country without such officials. Paraiso also recommended expanding mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs) to include cybercrimes, as existing agreements only cover traditional offenses.

Last year, Gatchalian introduced the Online Gambling Regulatory Act, aiming to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for online gambling rather than enforcing a total ban, which could drive operations further underground.