During a recent Senate session in the Philippines, the Committee on Games and Amusement issued a show-cause directive to Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook’s Parent Company) for failing to attend a pivotal hearing focused on the surge of illegal online gambling activities across social media. The inquiry follows the government’s earlier crackdown on Philippine Offshore Gaming …
Despite a nationwide prohibition, the Philippines continues to grapple with the enduring popularity of online cockfighting, known locally as e-sabong. The country-wide ban, declared initially by former President Rodrigo Duterte in response to a series of disappearances and alleged murders tied to match-fixing, has failed to extinguish the digital gambling phenomenon. Enforcement Challenges and Legislative …
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero reaffirmed that the Senate will deliberate on measures calling for either a total ban or stricter regulation of online gambling in the Philippines. Escudero, a critic of the online gambling industry, stated, “In banning POGOs over foreign-linked gambling, shouldn’t we be equally concerned about local activities?” He noted that three …
Due to growing concerns, Philippine legislators are drafting a measure to restrict the use of e-wallets on online gambling platforms. Lawmakers have noted the simplicity of depositing funds and placing bets via digital finance applications. Philippine Representative Jonathan Keith Flores worries that features such as seamless pop-ups with integrated gambling links are making it excessively …
Senate President Francis Escudero is calling for a review of the Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGO) service, saying there should be a greater concern about the industry’s impact on residents. Escudero believes that the inland operators have benefited from the controversies surrounding the Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators (POGO) industry and have mainly gone unnoticed. However, …
Philippine authorities are raising the alarm that an increasing number of nationals are being lured outside the country with the promise of a job in the offshore gambling market. The country banned the controversial Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) program last year and implemented its plan in January 2025. The Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration (PBI) …
The Philippine gambling industry is poised for significant growth, with projections indicating a substantial revenue increase in 2025. The electronic gaming market and the future expectations of integrated casino resorts drive this anticipated revenue expansion. In 2024, the Philippine gambling industry achieved a historic milestone, recording gross gaming revenues (GGR) of PHP410.5 billion, a 25% …
The inaugural Olympic Esports Games are coming in 2027, marking a significant step for competitive gaming. The Olympics have increasingly embraced esports through their Olympic Esports Series (OES), which was created after the Covid-19 pandemic. The OES event was first introduced in Singapore in June 2023, and fans have been eagerly awaiting a follow-up. After last …
Panthera Esports has claimed the Philippine Collegiate Championship National League Season 2 crown after defeating the NU bulldogs 3-1 in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang grand finals. The team, composed of Syrell “Chuuya Gemu” Rabara, Christian “Ramee” Tiglao, Charles Ryan “Saint Mocha” Robianes, Jerzy “Jerzy” Esguerra, and Jehoram Kish “Azelff” Espinosa, did not lose a …
In recent years, Philippine lawmakers have grappled with the complex challenges posed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Initially introduced to boost economic growth, these entities have become synonymous with illicit activities, including the dissemination of disinformation. Below, we will discuss the intricate relationship between banned POGOs and the spread of fake news, examining the …