CICC releases list of online influencers subject for page takedown due to illegal gambling promotion

• Photo from Pixabay

By San Matildo

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) on Tuesday, September 30, has identified social media influencers subject for page takedown after verifying that they continue to promote illegal online gambling sites.

According to CICC, the names were confirmed through its Threat Monitoring Center and validated by Digital Pinoys, a civic group that reports online gambling activities.

The influencers will be issued notices to explain, and those who fail to comply may face formal complaints.

”I think we’re really on our way to putting a stop to illegal online gambling that hurts our society, especially the children and the poorest among us who can bet just one or two pesos. And I believe… our fellow citizens will no longer be deceived by those who manipulate the results of the games,” CICC Acting executive Director Aboy Paraiso said.

Paraiso warned that operators of illegal gambling sites, as well as influencers promoting them, may face criminal cases, including syndicated or large-scale estafa.

Authorities noted that some influencers attempted to avoid scrutiny by deleting their accounts or hiding their follower counts, but this does not exempt them from liability.

Digital Pinoy Founder Ronald Gustilo said that since the campaign against online gambling was launched, over 1,600 illegal gambling sites have been reported, of which 146 were found active.

Most operate as “mirror sites” that reappear shortly after takedowns, posing a major challenge to enforcement efforts.

”So now, hopefully, once we take down these illegal sites along with their mirror sites, we can slow down their operations. And next, here — we have a new set of influencers we’ve monitored who continue to endorse illegal gambling sites,” Gustilo said.

“This has been verified by Digital Pinoys and, of course, also confirmed by the Cybercrime Investigation Institute. Now, they will be endorsed for page takedown,” he added.

The CICC added that the campaign has gained ground as several influencers, including Sachzna Laparan and Bigboy Cheng, have pledged to stop promoting illegal gambling and are now advocating for responsible gaming.

“We are here to encourage our fellow influencers and the public to always play responsibly,” Laparan said.

”On our part, we admit we have many shortcomings there. That’s why we are here — to support and to cooperate — because it’s really no longer right,” she added.

Cheng meanwhile, said that responsible gaming is “what we are fighting for now — responsible gaming for everyone.”

“And really, to make sure that underage individuals are prohibited from playing,” he said.

Officials stressed that the fight against illegal gambling requires a whole-of-society approach, with government agencies, advocacy groups, and online personalities working together to protect minors and vulnerable communities from exploitation.