The Philippine police have recently launched an intense crackdown on illegal gambling. The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) announced on July 25 that from June 2 to July 23, a total of 1,119 raids were conducted in the Metro Manila area, resulting in the arrest of 2,573 individuals and the confiscation of gambling funds totaling 568,992 pesos, demonstrating the police's determination and action in combating underground gambling.
This sweeping operation covered five major jurisdictions including Manila, Quezon City, the North, East, and South districts, targeting street casinos, underground gambling dens, and online illegal betting activities. The police stated that this round of crackdowns is part of the national "zero tolerance" policy against gambling crimes, aimed at deterring underground gambling networks, cutting off funding channels, and preventing gambling-related public security issues and gang crimes.
According to the police, among those arrested, 270 individuals were involved in "digital gambling" related illegal activities, with related gambling funds totaling 97,160 pesos. However, the police did not specify whether these digital gambling activities were related to "jueteng" (a popular illegal numbers game in the Philippines) or other underground betting systems, only emphasizing that further investigations into the flow of funds and the masterminds behind the scenes are ongoing.
Under Presidential Decree No. 1602, all unauthorized gambling activities, including illegal cockfighting, street lotteries, private lotteries, bingo gambling, underground horse racing, and unregistered online gambling platforms, are illegal. Once verified, they will be severely punished according to the law, with penalties including several years of imprisonment and hefty fines.
The NCRPO spokesperson emphasized that illegal gambling not only disrupts economic order but is often associated with crimes such as money laundering, bribery, kidnapping, and violent debt collection, posing a threat to social stability. "We will continue to launch larger-scale joint law enforcement operations, focusing on cracking down on the masterminds behind the gambling scenes and the corrupt elements providing shelter."
The police also call on the public to actively participate in the fight against gambling. If any suspected illegal gambling activities are discovered, they can dial the 911 hotline to report. The police assure that the informant's information will be kept strictly confidential and that a dedicated person will be arranged to follow up on the investigation.
In recent years, the Philippine gambling industry has expanded rapidly, with legal and illegal gambling coexisting. Although agencies like PAGCOR have strengthened supervision, underground gambling still prevails in urban poor communities and some rural areas, posing significant challenges to governance.
This operation shows that the Philippine government is intensifying efforts to "clean up," not only targeting street gambling but also focusing on illegal betting networks hidden behind digital platforms. As the national legislature is also pushing to strengthen gambling regulations, the future Philippine gambling ecosystem may undergo a profound rectification and reshaping.
