Philippine police arrest 9,401 people in July crackdown on illegal gambling

The Philippine National Police arrested more than 9,400 people during nationwide anti-illegal gambling operations in July, as authorities intensify enforcement against unauthorised betting networks in both major cities and remote communities.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested 9,401 people in July for alleged involvement in illegal gambling activities as part of an intensified nationwide enforcement campaign. Officers also confiscated more than PHP3.2 million in betting money, together with gambling equipment and other related materials.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the campaign is being expanded through stronger community intelligence, with information supplied by residents playing an important role in identifying locations where unauthorised gambling continues to operate. Police resources are being deployed not only in Metro Manila but also in municipalities, provinces and more remote areas of the country.

The crackdown follows a government directive to strengthen action against illegal gambling networks nationwide. According to the PNP, the policy is being pursued under the guidance of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla and in line with the priorities of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Nartatez has argued that illegal gambling should not be viewed solely as a regulatory or gaming-sector issue. The police chief said PNP crime data indicates links between unlawful gambling activity and other offences, including theft, robbery, domestic violence and crimes against persons. Authorities therefore see the dismantling of gambling networks as part of a broader public-order strategy.

The enforcement campaign covers a range of unauthorised gambling activities. Philippine law treats gambling as illegal when betting or wagering takes place without authorisation from the government agency legally empowered to license or regulate the activity, or when an operator breaches the conditions of an existing authorisation.

Online operations are also under increasing scrutiny. Earlier in 2026, police intensified enforcement against illegal electronic cockfighting, or e-sabong, with nationwide intelligence mapping used to locate suspected networks operating both through physical venues and online channels. Separate enforcement actions by the National Bureau of Investigation have also targeted online gambling businesses operating without licences confirmed by PAGCOR.

The July figures demonstrate the scale of illegal gambling enforcement in the Philippines, although an arrest does not establish criminal guilt and cases remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.

With more than 9,400 people detained in a single month, the PNP is signalling that enforcement will remain geographically broad and increasingly intelligence-led. The longer-term impact, however, will depend on whether authorities can move beyond individual arrests and disrupt the organisers, financial channels and digital infrastructure that allow unauthorised gambling networks to reappear after local operations are closed.