Content Writer: Janice Chew • Saturday, 25/10/2025 - 15:50:21 - PM
The Philippines’ Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has secured a new freeze order in connection with a sweeping scandal involving alleged misappropriation linked to casino operations, bringing the total value of immobilized assets to almost USD 70 million. This latest move underscores intensifying efforts by authorities to clamp down on illicit flows tied to gaming and infrastructure irregularities.
According to the reports, the freeze order covers a wide array of assets—including bank accounts, properties, vehicles, and insurance policies—associated with individuals and firms under investigation for their roles in the casino-related scheme. This constitutes one of the most aggressive asset preservation efforts tied to gaming sector wrongdoing in recent years in the Philippines.
The freeze order is grounded in a court ruling by the Court of Appeals, acting on AMLC petitions. It builds upon earlier freezes tied to the controversy around flood control and infrastructure spending, where prior measures had immobilized assets across dozens of accounts and real properties. The AMLC says the step is essential to prevent dissipation of suspect funds and ensure accountability through eventual recovery.
Observers note that this crackdown is part of a broader trend in the region, where regulators are increasingly treating casino and gambling ecosystems as vectors for money laundering and financial crime. The Philippines’ aggressive posture may serve as a template for neighboring markets wrestling with integrity risks in gaming.