The Philippine government has cautioned against rushing to ban online gambling in the country. In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro stressed that any such measure must undergo thorough study to assess its potential impact on the economy and public welfare.
Philippine Government Says iGaming Ban Requires In-Depth Review: Key Notes
- Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government cannot place a blanket ban on online gambling as it would undermine PAGCOR’s authority and deal a huge blow to the country’s economy, which relies on gambling revenue.
- According to PAGCOR, the Philippine gambling regulator, taxes from the sector are a major revenue source for the government.
- Amid growing concerns of gambling harm, PAGCOR intensified efforts to rein in illicit operators. Measures include immediate removal of billboards and out-of-home advertisements and pre-screening digital ads before they go live.
Need for Careful Consideration Before Banning Online Gambling
In a statement to the media, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that an outright ban on online gambling must be comprehensively studied to assess its potential impact on social life and the national economy. Castro acknowledged the growing calls for a gambling ban, which intensified after the omission of the topic from the president’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday. Castro stated:
“This should be studied carefully. If we immediately remove online gambling, licensed operators will be affected, and we must ask if this will reduce the assistance being given to the country, students, and citizens. The President cannot act in haste here.”
She further noted the economic windfall of online gambling, highlighting its relevance as an important revenue source. “The revenues from licensed online gambling provide assistance to the citizens,” Castro added. She also suggested identifying the source of gambling addiction before enforcing a new policy.
Castro noted:
“We must first know where the problem lies—whether it’s in the licence, the app, or unlicensed operations. We need to know where our people are getting addicted.”
The Philippine Senate is scheduled to hold hearings to discuss the effects of online gambling. Senators Pia Cayetano, Allan Cayetano, and Joel Villanueva have introduced bills advocating for a complete ban, citing increasing addiction and social issues.
Critics Flag the Rising Popularity of Online Gambling
The gambling industry is a major contributor to the Philippine economy. The Philippines currently ranks among countries with the highest share of online gambling GGR as a percentage of national nominal GDP. Calls to regulate the online gambling sector have also intensified in this period to tackle the growing cases of gambling harm.
Responding to the need for immediate intervention, PAGCOR implemented several regulatory measures, such as removing billboards, banners, etc., from public places. These actions aim to minimise the exposure of gambling-related content to vulnerable groups, particularly minors.
The watchdog recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ad Standards Council, which has agreed to pre-screen gambling-related ads before they are aired on digital platforms. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Centre has also instructed influencers, athletes, and celebrities to remove content promoting gambling operators.
Lawmakers are treading cautiously as the Philippine Senate prepares to host a public hearing about the growing cases of gambling addiction among citizens. Public organisations, including PAGCOR and the Department of Finance, are expected to testify at the event, alongside representatives of parental organisations, youth groups, and academic institutions.