Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will not act in haste on the growing calls to impose a total ban on online gambling, as he sees the need for a thorough study on the potential impact of the proposal on the country, Malaca±ang said on Friday. This announcement came after some lawmakers expressed disappointment over Marcos' alleged failure to discuss the issue of online gaming during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized the necessity of understanding the root of the online gambling addiction problem. She pointed out that it is essential to identify whether the issue stems from licensed online gambling apps or unlicensed sites. Castro highlighted the importance of determining where Filipinos are getting addicted to gambling, particularly if illegal gambling apps are the main contributors.
Calls to regulate online gambling are increasing, with concerns about the growing number of Filipinos becoming hooked on gaming sites. Castro noted that the potential impact of the proposal on the Philippine economy must also be considered. She stressed that a thorough study is needed before deciding to remove online gambling, as it could affect licensed operators who contribute significantly to the country's economic assistance programs, including support for students and citizens.
Castro explained that the revenue generated by licensed online gambling provides substantial assistance to the population. In 2024, gross gaming revenue reached PHP410 billion, with e-games and e-bingo generating PHP154.41 billion, marking a 165 percent year-on-year increase, according to data from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
PAGCOR has already taken steps to regulate gambling promotions by ordering the immediate dismantling of all billboards and out-of-home advertisements related to gambling. Additionally, they have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Standards Council (ASC) to regulate and pre-screen gambling-related advertisements across all media platforms.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology's (DICT) Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center has also been active in addressing illegal online gaming platforms. They have directed social media influencers to remove content promoting these unauthorized sites. To date, the DICT has already taken down approximately 7,000 unauthorized online gaming sites identified by PAGCOR.
