CICC Files Cases Against Influencers Promoting Illegal Online Gambling
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has officially taken legal action against over 30 social media influencers and online entities for promoting illegal online gambling in the Philippines.
Among those flagged are well-known personalities such as Toni Fowler, Whamos Cruz, Christian Merck Grey, Miss GinBilog, Boy Tapang, and others. The list, endorsed to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), marks a clear shift from monitoring and warnings to full enforcement, signaling that authorities are ready to pursue formal charges under the Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA 10175), PD 1602 on illegal gambling, and estafa provisions.
According to CICC Deputy Executive Director Undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso, the agency, together with Digital Pinoy, verified that unlicensed gambling platforms were being promoted by influencers through livestreams, referral links, and social media posts, often reaching underage viewers. Previous warnings issued in July 2025 urged influencers to remove content promoting illegal gambling, but violations continued. This prompted the CICC to escalate the matter, initiating formal investigations, gathering evidence, and preparing to file legal cases against violators.
The crackdown has already led to the removal of certain social media accounts and content, including the pages of Whamos and Wampimpty, which had millions of followers. Authorities emphasized that this is part of a broader campaign against illegal online gambling, with additional lists of 78 influencers and 147 unlicensed gambling sites already submitted for action.
Previously, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) ordered e-wallets like GCash and Maya to remove in-app links to online gambling, citing concerns about easy access for minors and vulnerable users. GCash disabled its “GLife” gambling feature, while Maya shut off its “Games” section, allowing users to withdraw remaining balances but no longer fund gambling through the apps. Lawmakers supported stricter safeguards, with some proposing a full ban on e-wallet gambling transactions.
Related Post: Facebook Deletes Pages of Influencers Promoting Illegal Online Gambling