Meta has begun cleaning Facebook of influencers promoting illegal online gambling. According to the group Digital Pinoys, Meta has removed 20 Facebook pages led by influencers after their request along with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).
Among the removed pages are those of Boy Tapang (5.5M followers), Sachzna Laparan (9.7M followers), Kuya Lex TV (100K followers), and Mark Anthony Fernandez (242K followers). All of them were reported to be promoting online gambling to their large audience.
According to Ronald Gustilo of Digital Pinoys, they thanked Meta for its quick action. He added that there are influencers who were warned on July 11 but did not comply, thinking that the CICC was just bluffing. Now, they need to explain why they should not be sued.
PAGCOR also issued an order to remove online gambling ads from billboards, trains, buses, jeepneys, and taxis before August 15. Some lawmakers are also pushing bills to restrict or completely ban online gambling.
According to some operators, a total ban is not needed—what is needed is tighter regulation. But it is clear, says the CICC, that it is time to stop using social media to spread illegal gambling.
