Influencers still promoting illegal gambling could face estafa cases: CICC
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Influencers still promoting illegal gambling could face estafa cases: CICC
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MANILA — Content creators on social media who defy the order to stop promoting illegal online gambling sites could face estafa cases, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) warned Friday.
MANILA — Content creators on social media who defy the order to stop promoting illegal online gambling sites could face estafa cases, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) warned Friday.
Renato Paraiso, CICC deputy executive director, told ANC that while "almost all" influencers have complied, there were still some who are "very defiant."
Renato Paraiso, CICC deputy executive director, told ANC that while "almost all" influencers have complied, there were still some who are "very defiant."
The CICC has already sent letters to the disobedient ones — some of them are groups — to explain why the government should not file cases against them, said Paraiso.
The CICC has already sent letters to the disobedient ones — some of them are groups — to explain why the government should not file cases against them, said Paraiso.
He said big-time influencers could be earning up to P500,000 per week to promote illegal online gambling.
He said big-time influencers could be earning up to P500,000 per week to promote illegal online gambling.
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He explained they have "reason to believe" the unregulated gaming platforms are rigged and gamers who engage with them can be considered as "victims."
He explained they have "reason to believe" the unregulated gaming platforms are rigged and gamers who engage with them can be considered as "victims."
Therefore, he said, influencers who still promote these illicit sites can face "the crime of syndicated or large-scale estafa", or fraud, along with the operators.
Therefore, he said, influencers who still promote these illicit sites can face "the crime of syndicated or large-scale estafa", or fraud, along with the operators.
"There are a slew of cases that can be filed simultaneously with each other," Paraiso said.
"There are a slew of cases that can be filed simultaneously with each other," Paraiso said.
CICC REJECTS TOTAL BAN ON ONLINE GAMING
The CICC meanwhile rejected a total ban on online gambling, saying such a move would just push some operators to go illegal and unregulated.
The CICC meanwhile rejected a total ban on online gambling, saying such a move would just push some operators to go illegal and unregulated.
At least three senators have proposed a total ban on online gaming as stories emerged of how gambling addiction has affected personal lives and wrecked Filipino families.
At least three senators have proposed a total ban on online gaming as stories emerged of how gambling addiction has affected personal lives and wrecked Filipino families.
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On the other hand, some proposals only included banning the youth from accessing online gambling sites and restricting e-wallets from accommodating online gaming.
On the other hand, some proposals only included banning the youth from accessing online gambling sites and restricting e-wallets from accommodating online gaming.
Paraiso said the Philippines is not yet ready for a total ban "because everyone would just go unregulated or they would just go illegal."
Paraiso said the Philippines is not yet ready for a total ban "because everyone would just go unregulated or they would just go illegal."
"I say that because, again, we are not ready to go after these illegal online gaming platforms outside the country," said Paraiso, who had warned social media influencers against promoting illegal online gambling.
"I say that because, again, we are not ready to go after these illegal online gaming platforms outside the country," said Paraiso, who had warned social media influencers against promoting illegal online gambling.
"That's the simple reality of it. We can disrupt them — block, block, block every time, but the problem [for] our law enforcement agencies is who would they go after if they become cross-border?" he said.
"That's the simple reality of it. We can disrupt them — block, block, block every time, but the problem [for] our law enforcement agencies is who would they go after if they become cross-border?" he said.
Paraiso pointed out that online gambling "brings in valuable revenue to the government" that could be used not only to address the other ills that gambling might cause, "but also other charity-related activities of the government."
Paraiso pointed out that online gambling "brings in valuable revenue to the government" that could be used not only to address the other ills that gambling might cause, "but also other charity-related activities of the government."
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The official also disclosed that his office has an agreement with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to take down illegal online gaming sites on its platforms.
The official also disclosed that his office has an agreement with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to take down illegal online gaming sites on its platforms.
He said he has also requested the blocking of 19 illicit online gaming websites.
He said he has also requested the blocking of 19 illicit online gaming websites.
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