Part 7/16:
Online gambling in Southeast Asia operates through specialized apps—often not available on mainstream app stores—that users access via links or VPNs. These platforms regularly feature online slots, casino games, e-lotto, and sometimes gamify the experience with loot boxes and level ups, increasing addictiveness.
Workers like Jerome Nervar, a former POGO employee, reveal how these platforms hire foreign dealers and operators to interact with users, some of whom are Filipinos. Players can download apps, bet remotely, and participate in betting schemes with little regulatory oversight. Despite some operators being licensed, many engage in illegal practices like scamming and human trafficking.