Online gambling in the Philippines may be at risk after a leading senator introduced a bill on Monday seeking an outright ban following a rise in kidnappings and violent crime.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva’s Bill 1281 would outlaw all forms of online gambling, with a jail term of up to six months and a fine of up to PHP500,000, local media reports.

“This bill seeks to prohibit online gambling and the placing of wagers, or bets, through the internet or any form of online gambling activities to prevent further deterioration of morals and values, encourage people to work instead of relying on a game of chance, stop addiction and save lives,” Villanueva was cited as saying.

A local industry source said the threat was serious as the bill enjoys bipartisan support. He also said he expects illegal gaming laws to be reinforced to stop offshore sites targeting the Philippines.

Philippines online leader

The Philippines is a leading light in online gambling regulation in Asia, although has blown hot and cold towards the industry. President Rodrigo Duterte spoke out against the evils of online gambling when he took office in 2016. However, shortly thereafter industry regulator, the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), sought instead to improve regulation and raise tax revenue through its Philippines Offshore Gambling Operator (POGO) scheme.

The firms, which are only able to offer their services outside of the country, proved successful but the resulting boom also led to a rise in gambling and immigration-related crime as Chinese flooded into the country to work in firms targeting Mainland China.?

Covid put a lid on POGO activities, although the sector has hit the headlines again recently as the country has reopened for business.?

PAGCOR crackdown

Last week, PAGCOR said it would work with other law enforcement agencies to help stamp out a wave of kidnappings. PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco said the crimes were giving the industry a bad name and were putting legitimate players at risk.

The regulator called for cooperation from the industry to weed out illegal operators and threatened to revoke the licenses of any firms falling foul of the law.?

The Philippines National Police earlier this month said it had recorded 27 kidnapping cases so far this year, 20 of which were POGO-related.

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