Philippines eyes Telegram ban; Experts doubt illegal gambling fix
The Philippine gambling industry is bracing for potential disruption after the country’s Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) signalled it may ban messaging platform, Telegram, if violations linked to illegal gambling and online exploitation persist.
Gaming industry veteran Jonas Diego has described to SiGMA News the possible move as disruptive but limited in long-term impact, calling it “a blunt instrument.” Meanwhile, Ann Cuisia, CEO of TraXion Tech, wrote in Notion, that banning entire platforms risks harming legitimate users more than offenders.
DICT officials raised concerns that the messaging platform has become a preferred channel for illegal gambling operators and other unlawful activity. For the gambling sector, Diego said the implications could be immediate and practical rather than existential.
Gambling operators face disruption, not collapse
Diego said licensed operators would feel the impact if Telegram were blocked, but most would be able to adjust using alternative channels already in place. “While Telegram is one of the more commonly used apps by operators for marketing and engagement, most of them also use a variety of alternative platforms (e.g., WhatsApp, Viber, Signal, etc.) aside from the usual channels (i.e., email, official apps, SMS).”
However, he cautioned that migration would not be seamless, especially in a market where player habits differ across apps. “Granted, some of these apps may not have the same adoption among local players, so Philippine operators will have their work cut out for them to migrate their players and communities ASAP.”
Encrypted group chats, often used for VIP updates and targeted promotions, are a key part of retention strategies in online gambling. Losing that infrastructure would require rebuilding segmented communities elsewhere.
“This is not going to be painless, however,” Diego said. He warned that the loss of encrypted group communication could weaken player retention strategies, especially for high-value customers accustomed to private updates. He said that operational adjustments would also be required on the support side, where messaging apps are integrated into response systems.
Despite these hurdles, he stressed that licensed firms would prioritise compliance over convenience. “But, in the interest of remaining compliant, this is something that operators will just need to do even if it does cause some disruption in the short term,” he said.
‘A blunt instrument’ against illegal gambling
Beyond operational concerns, Diego questioned whether banning Telegram would truly curb illegal gambling activity in a sustainable way.
“I think banning an entire messaging platform like Telegram is a blunt instrument,” he said. “It can disrupt illegal gambling operators who rely heavily on encrypted channels, sure. But it also risks collateral damage to legitimate businesses and everyday users who use the app for non-gambling purposes.”
Diego acknowledged that regulators are responding to real concerns and mounting pressure. “Telegram is being targeted because it has been identified as a preferred platform for illegal gambling operators and other unlawful content or activities,” he said.
He also pointed to coordination issues that may have influenced the regulator’s stance. “DICT officials also reported difficulty in coordinating with Telegram’s management (based in Russia), so that’s not exactly helping the platform’s case.”
Still, Diego argued that enforcement through bans may only provide temporary disruption rather than structural change.
“True, a ban would disrupt casual users and small-scale illegal operators who don’t have the technical know-how to bypass restrictions. But determined operators and tech-savvy users would likely adapt quickly, reducing the long-term impact,” he said.
In his assessment, the measure may show immediate results but fail to resolve the underlying dynamics of illegal gambling networks. “I believe that a ban will be successful in the short term but won’t really solve the problem in the long run,” Diego said.
He cited international precedents to illustrate how users respond to platform-level restrictions. He mentioned India, which attempted similar restrictions, but he said users simply migrated to other platforms or relied on VPNs. Another one is China, which Diego believed has been more successful, though he said underground operators continue to innovate new methods.
“In contrast, Australia’s approach is more sustainable and effective in the long term, striking a balance between consumer protection and the activities of licensed operators,” he noted.
Precise enforcement vs broad bans
Cuisia echoed concerns about sweeping restrictions. She argued that platform-wide bans fail to address root causes and create broader economic disruption. She emphasised that messaging platforms themselves are neutral tools used across sectors.
“When we respond to misconduct by targeting the entire platform, we risk punishing far more innocent users than actual offenders,” she said.
Cuisia argued that criminals adapt quickly to digital enforcement measures, making blanket bans ineffective over time. “Encryption and messaging apps are not threats by default. They protect journalists, whistleblowers, entrepreneurs, and citizens who simply want secure communication in a time when identity theft and fraud are real risks,” she said, defending the role of encryption in protecting lawful users.
Rather than blocking entire platforms, she called for targeted action against specific offenders and financial flows. “I believe we can fight crime without limiting lawful communication. We can protect public safety while respecting digital freedom. Those two goals are not in conflict,” she concluded.
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