Policy debate on online gambling and social values

FROM MARCH to August 2025, debates in the Upper and Lower houses intensified on the question of whether or not online gambling should be completely banned or regulated, reflecting the range of views held by lawmakers and the general public. In early July, bills had already been filed accordingly.

At the Upper chamber, Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Alan Peter Cayetano, Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros, Bong Go, and Loren Legarda filed bills seeking a complete ban on online gambling, citing the serious consequences of addiction among many Filipinos.

Those for pro-regulation contend that enforcing a total ban could be counterproductive, pushing operations underground. Online gaming operators licensed with PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) argue that it is better to strengthen regulation instead.

On August 14, Inquirer.net reported the Senate hearing of joint committees on games, banks, youth, economic affairs, and ways and means to discuss and debate the problems as well as the financial gains. Senator Erwin Tulfo described the Senate deliberation as a critical juncture, emphasizing the need to balance harm and benefits involved. 

Experts in News Reports

Pro-Ban Advocates argue that online gambling has become a “silent epidemic,” especially among youth. Among the possible social consequences are debt, broken families, addiction, and in the worst cases, suicide.

On July 20, a report by Inquirer.net emphasized the lure of the potential win which gambling so addictive. It also discussed the negative impact, the strained family relationships and psychological pain of gamblers when they are forced to go into debt. The report pointed out that many Filipinos sacrifice their money to bet on online games instead of spending it on basic necessities.

In an article in the  Daily Tribune on August 17, public health advocate Dr. Tony Leachon explained that online gambling is a “psychological trap” that leads to compulsive behavior, anxiety, depression, and, in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts, dscussing online gambling as a chronic illness or epidemic. The report also described the urgent measures, including policy reforms, platform protection, and therapy. 

Meanwhile, Manila Standard cited a lawyer, Atty. Lawyer Tonet Quiogue, who issued a 15-page memorandum that argued for government to“surgically strike at these illicit operations, not to outlaw the entire industry and penalize legitimate stakeholders. . .” 

As Congress considers the various bills filed, Quiogue called for evidence-based policymaking, as opposed to haphazard approaches driven by fear-mongering. 

News tracked other developments

On July 7, PAGCOR ordered all licensed operators, suppliers, system administrators and gaming venue operators to remove all out-of-home gambling advertisements by August 15. The directive was executed as part of its effort to regulate gambling-related promotions in public spaces. 

On August 14, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) ordered e-wallets, Maya and Gcash, to unlink from e-gambling sites within 48 hours. (Reports from Inquirer.net, GMA News Online, ABS-CBN News Online, Rappler.) By August 16, media confirmed that Maya had disabled links to gambling sites via its “Games” feature; similarly, Gcash removed access through its Glife platform. Both completed the 48-hour timeline.

Media’s role

Online gambling is expected to become a PHP 480-billion industry by the end of this year. Lawmakers continue to debate the issue in terms of policy, taking into account both financial gains and social perils. 

Media coverage must continue to add depth, seeking knowledgeable and well informed experts to contribute to the discussion. Media should begin to cite the context of law-enforcement in this country on which so much of the contentious issues depend. The range of sources should include independent and credible sources who can evaluate the capacity to regulate what is essentially pursued online.