Philippines Bans Chinese-Run Online Gambling Operations

Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos announced the immediate ban of mostly Chinese-run online gambling operations and accused them of engaging in crimes and other illegal activities for the country. “The grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop,” Mr. Marcos said, announcing the ban during his state-of-the-nation address before the Philippine Congress on July 22. His decision to outlaw these Chinese-run online gambling operations followed a crackdown backed by Beijing as these sites targeted customers in China, where gambling is illegal. There are estimated to be more than 400 Chinese-run online gambling operations across the country that hired tens of thousands of foreign workers from China and Southeast Asian countries. ...