Philippines and Gogolook Partnership Cuts Illegal Gambling Sites by 93 Percent

A new report from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and Taiwan-based TrustTech company Gogolook shows how cooperation between public agencies and private firms can make a real difference in online safety. According to the findings, illegal iGaming URLs in the Philippines dropped by an impressive 93.6% over the last quarter.

Good to Know

• Illegal gambling URLs fell from more than 4,300 in Q2 to just 275 in Q3.
• CICC attributes the drop to joint monitoring, takedown campaigns, and public awareness drives.
• Gogolook’s Whoscall app allows users to report suspicious websites and online scams.

The CICC, under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), said its joint efforts with Gogolook helped dismantle hundreds of unlicensed gambling sites that were exploiting Filipino users. Public campaigns about safe gambling practices and fraud prevention also helped curb traffic to these platforms.

A Closer Look at the Collaboration

The CICC called the results “a clear sign that joint efforts with trusted partners like Gogolook are working.” The agency added, “Illegal online gambling is not only a moral and social issue – it fuels financial crimes, data theft and money laundering. Every site taken down helps protect Filipino families from exploitation.”

Gogolook, which operates the Whoscall anti-scam platform, launched its service in the Philippines in 2023. The government renewed its partnership with the company in early 2025 to expand its cybersecurity reach. The Whoscall app enables users to report suspicious domains, fake investment sites, and fraudulent gambling operators directly to the authorities.

Gogolook founder and CEO Jeff Kuo described the initiative as part of a long-term commitment to public protection. Kuo said in an interview with the Manila Standard:

“All the basic functions will be free for a long time. We believe anti-scam is a human right. Once we have the knowledge about scammers, we must share the basic protections for free – especially in the Philippines.”

The CICC’s report comes at a time when licensed operators are trying to separate themselves from illicit gaming networks. In August, 19 accredited firms under the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) formed the PlaySafe Alliance — a collective promoting legal gaming and working with authorities to counter illegal sites.

Both government agencies and private companies have been strengthening data monitoring systems to identify criminal activity that often overlaps with unlicensed gambling, cyberfraud, and money laundering.

Despite the steep decline in illegal iGaming URLs, the CICC noted that it will keep tightening enforcement and encouraging public participation. The agency said collaboration between regulators, technology partners, and citizens remains essential to building a secure online ecosystem for the country.

FAQ

What caused the drop in illegal gambling sites?

Joint enforcement efforts between the CICC and Gogolook, plus public awareness drives and user reporting, led to the sharp decline.

How does Whoscall help combat scams?

The app lets users report suspicious websites or fraudulent calls directly to the authorities, supporting faster investigations.

What is the PlaySafe Alliance?

It’s a coalition of 19 PAGCOR-accredited firms focused on promoting responsible gaming and fighting unlicensed operations.

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