Criminal charges await content creators promoting online gambling

National

A STRING of charges will be filed against content creators who continue to promote online gambling.

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) warned that those who promote online casinos and those who fail to take down gambling-related content will be charged for illegal gambling, tax evasion and violation of Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act.

“Take the initiative to take down the content you uploaded that promotes these illegal online activities,” CICC executive director Renato Paraiso said in a report by Philstar.

Demand letters will be sent to violators, who will be asked to explain within five days why they should not be charged.

At the moment, the CICC is focusing on 20 of the country’s “biggest” influencers.

“I’m going after the head of the snake. If I go hard on these 20, the others will probably start feeling afraid,” Paraiso said.

One of the influencers being monitored has 14 million followers and owns a mansion and a luxury sports car.

Paraiso said these influencers’ content has put Filipinos in peril.

“They operate with no oversight. They are built to be predatory,” added Paraiso.

Aside from warnings to influencers, authorities are also intensifying efforts to curb gambling visibility and accessibility.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco has ordered all licensees and stakeholders to submit a complete inventory of billboard and wallscape advertisements by July 16.

Tengco also ordered the removal of all gambling-related ads no later than Aug. 15 this year.