The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has cracked down on illegal gambling activity after arresting 12 people alleged to be running illicit igaming operations.
Following a month-long investigation, PAGCOR Chair and CEO, Alejandro H Tengco, confirmed that the suspects were apprehended in Parañaque City, with support from the National Capital Region Police Office, as well as the cybercrime unit of the Philippine National Police.
The case will be handed over to the Parañaque Regional Trial Court.
Tengco stated: “The raiders were armed with a warrant to search, seize and examine operations of computer data against the suspects who were caught red-handed while operating the illegal online gaming platform tbb888.com or the ‘Big Bet’.”
In total, 11 computers, 21 mobile phones, two iPads, six laptops and several flash drives were seized by the authorities, believed to be used for running the gambling operations that illegally profited from online slot machines, live casino games and esports betting.
Raul Villanueva, PAGCOR SVP for Security and Monitoring Cluster, added: “The operation was part of our unified efforts to intensify the fight against illegal online gambling because we have a marching order from PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco to put a stop to these illegal activities.”
Towards the end of last year, the Chinese government announced that it would collaborate with the Philippines on the issue of illicit gambling impacting both nations, looking to “crack down on cross-border crimes”.
