In the ongoing crackdown against illegal online gambling operations, the National Capital Region Police Office and Anti-Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National Police successfully conducted a raid in Parañaque City which resulted in multiple arrests. The operation targeted a specific unauthorized online gambling site, Tbb888.com, and is part of the concerted efforts by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to eradicate unlawful internet gambling activities within the nation.
Tbb888.com came under scrutiny for offering gambling services that include slots, casino games, and esports betting without legal authorization. As part of the raid, law enforcement officers seized numerous pieces of evidence including computer sets, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and flash drives, which all contained data supporting the allegations of unlawful gambling operations.
The sting took place in the BF Northwest Subdivision of Parañaque, an upscale community known to house some of the city’s influential political and business figures. PAGCOR’s senior vice president for the security and monitoring cluster, Raul Villanueva, confirmed that legal cases against the apprehended suspects would be initiated before the Parañaque Regional Trial Court. Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Mr. Villanueva stated, “The operation was part of our unified efforts to intensify the fight against illegal online gambling. We have a marching order from PAGCOR chairman Alejandro Tengco to put a stop to these illegal activities. We will continuously collaborate with law enforcement authorities to put a stop to these.”
The PAGCOR official seized the moment to reinforce the regulator’s unwavering commitment to battling all forms of illegal online gambling. He elaborated on the extensive scale of these unauthorized websites, mentioning nearly 5,000 such sites having been in operation in the Philippines. Thanks to PAGCOR’s vigorous initiative, approximately 80% of these sites have now been thwarted.
Villanueva stressed the importance of persistent monitoring and reporting to protect not only the bettors but also to ensure regulated gaming revenues are funneled back into the national treasury to support the government’s developmental programs. He advised the public to refrain from using illegal gaming websites and to use legal platforms for their own protection, highlighting that Filipino bettors often fall victim to these illicit sites. PAGCOR has also joined forces with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, operating under the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and noted that they are closely watching numerous targets.
The successful raid and arrests came in the wake of PAGCOR’s public rebuttal of disinformation concerning a rumor that it plans to spend a substantial sum of ₱500 million to refurbish its Casino Filipino branch in Angeles City before anticipated privatization. The rumors, sparked by a social media post from PAGCOR employee Gian Samson which suggested an intention to increase the value of the casino for potential buyers post-privatization, were quashed by chairman Tengco. He assured that PAGCOR would not divert funds towards renovation, indicating that fiscal responsibility and combating illegal operations remain at the forefront of their priorities.
