Government agency confirms arrests during gambling crackdown
PAGCOR Cracks Down on Illegal Online Gambling in the Philippines
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has been actively combating illegal online gambling in the country, as evidenced by a recent raid in Parañaque City. The operation, conducted by the National Capital Region Police Office and Anti-Cybercrime Group, resulted in the seizure of computers, phones, tablets, laptops, and drives, as well as the arrest of 12 individuals.
The focus of the crackdown was on Tbb888.com, a website identified for illegal online gambling. However, PAGCOR's efforts against illegal online gambling are not limited to this single site. In fact, nearly 5,000 illegal websites were operating in the Philippines, a number that PAGCOR has been working diligently to reduce. The operation against Tbb888.com was part of PAGCOR's broader campaign against illegal gambling.
Raul Villanueva, PAGCOR's SVP for Security, was involved in the operation. Villanueva emphasized the need to protect Filipino bettors from illegal online gaming sites, stating that PAGCOR's initiatives are aimed at providing a trusted platform for players to verify licensed gambling sites and lodge complaints against illegal operators.
To this end, PAGCOR has launched a dedicated verification website and a subsite called PAGCOR Guarantee. The PAGCOR Guarantee Subsite, launched in June 2025, is designed to help players verify whether an online gambling site holds a valid PAGCOR license, thereby discouraging engagement with unlicensed sites like Tbb888.com if found unauthorized. The verification website serves a similar purpose.
PAGCOR's efforts to combat illegal online gambling also include strengthening regulations and technology use. The corporation has tightened rules around electronic gaming licenses and accredited KYC (Know Your Customer) providers to improve regulation and player safety in online gambling.
PAGCOR continues to shut down unlicensed operators and enforce the 2024 ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), in part to combat illegal online gambling activities. These efforts have resulted in the blocking of 80% of these illegal websites.
The public is advised to stop patronizing illegal online gaming sites and instead play on legal platforms. The focus is not only on protecting bettors but also on ensuring that revenues from regulated gaming are channelled back to the government for its nation-building programs.
Villanueva reiterated PAGCOR's dedication to combating all types of illegal online gambling. The specific nature of the illegal activities conducted by Tbb888.com was not specified in the paragraph. The operation took place in the affluent BF Northwest Subdivision, a residential area known for housing political and business leaders.
PAGCOR is working closely with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center under the Department of Information and Communications Technology in its efforts to combat illegal online gambling. The corporation's strategy to combat illegal online gambling focuses on licensing verification tools, public education, enhanced regulatory frameworks, and active enforcement to shut down illicit operators in the Philippines.
Sports betting and casino-and-gambling activities are part of the illegal online gambling operations that PAGCOR is actively combating, as evidenced by their recent raid on Tbb888.com in the Philippines. The general news regarding this crackdown also includes updates on PAGCOR's ongoing efforts to reduce crime-and-justice issues related to unauthorized online gambling sites.
