MANILA – Senator Win Gatchalian is calling for stronger legislative measures to curb the proliferation of illegal online gambling, as unlicensed betting sites continue to attract millions of Filipinos.

During a recent Senate hearing, Gatchalian compared the spread of these platforms to mushrooms, saying they reappear even after being blocked. “Parang kabute ang mga ito – kahit ma-block ngayon, bukas andyan na naman. It’s never ending. Dapat putulin na ang ugat. Have you gone further than blocking?” he asked the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC).

CICC Executive Director Renato Paraiso told the Senate that authorities have blocked an average of 50,000 illegal online gambling sites, 95–97% of which operate from abroad. He noted that enforcement is limited to Philippine jurisdiction, making full takedown difficult and highlighting challenges in cross-border cyber operations.

Paraiso also recommended appointing cyber diplomats to strengthen international cybersecurity cooperation, noting that the Philippines is currently the only country in the region without designated officials. He suggested expanding mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs) to cover cybercrimes, as existing agreements focus primarily on traditional offenses.

Gatchalian previously filed the Online Gambling Regulatory Act, which aims to establish a strict regulatory framework for online gambling rather than imposing a total ban that could drive operations underground.