Gatchalian presses closure of gambling sites embedded in apps

(PNA photo by Nef Luczon)

MANILA – Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday urged regulators to take action against online gambling operators allegedly embedding their platforms in widely used digital applications.

"I am deeply concerned by reports that online gambling has infiltrated some of the most widely used digital platforms, including messaging apps and e-commerce sites such as Viber, Telegram, and Lazada. This is a malicious and predatory practice that we should not tolerate," Gatchalian said in a statement.

He called on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to "immediately order the delinking of online gambling sites from messaging and e-commerce platforms operating in the country."

"Kung saan-saan sila nagsusulputan. Dapat mas mabilis ang aksyon ng gobyerno! Hindi puwedeng basta na lang gawing sugalan ang ating mga cellphone at online apps (These sites are appearing everywhere. The government must act faster! Our phones and online apps cannot simply be turned into gambling platforms)," he added.

Gatchalian said government intervention is needed to prevent gambling operators from exploiting technology and online services that are supposed to make life more convenient for Filipinos. (PNA)

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