Philippines representative Brian Poe filed a House resolution on Wednesday calling for an investigation into the growing social concerns surrounding online gambling and its impact on Filipino citizens, as the industry continues to generate massive revenues while raising alarm among officials and lawmakers.
According to the local media outlet Inquirer.net, the resolution seeks to address the proliferation of illegal and unregulated online gambling operations and aims to strengthen policies protecting citizens from harmful digital gambling activities. Poe emphasized the urgent need for scrutiny, citing reports of a sharp rise in gambling-related debt, family strife, school dropouts, and mental health issues linked to unregulated online platforms.
The Philippine gaming industry has experienced significant growth, reaching PHP410.47 billion ($7.3 billion) in gross gaming revenue in 2024, encompassing both domestic and offshore operations.
According to official data from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the regulated sector contributed PHP372.33 billion ($6.6 billion)—a 30.52 percent increase from the previous year—driven largely by online gaming growth and steady land-based casino performance.
PAGCOR projects that gross gaming revenue from e-casinos could range from PHP450 billion ($8.0 billion) to PHP480 billion ($8.5 billion) by 2025, raising concerns about the implications of this rapidly expanding industry.
The resolution comes as the government moves to tighten oversight of online gambling. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signaled support for proposals to limit and tax online gambling, emphasizing the need to curb addiction and minimize social harm.
As previously reported by AGB, PAGCOR has also backed a regulatory approach, rejecting calls for a total ban. The agency argues that stricter regulation—rather than outright prohibition—would better protect the public while maintaining significant government revenue and job creation.
Technology complicates monitoring efforts
The growing use of e-wallets, cryptocurrency wallets, and digital payment gateways has made online gambling more accessible than ever, complicating regulatory oversight and heightening risks for vulnerable groups. Reports from families, local authorities, and civil society organizations indicate a troubling rise in participation among minors and individuals from low-income communities, who are often drawn to unregulated platforms that evade age verification and lack basic consumer protections.
According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Philippines Central Bank), PAGCOR, and international bodies such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Health Organization, gambling addiction is a serious public health concern. The expansion of online gambling has been linked to increased rates of addiction and related social issues, including debt, family conflict, and mental health challenges.
In addition to these social costs, the proliferation of unlicensed or offshore online gambling operators undermines state revenue and facilitates organized crime and money laundering, offsetting potential economic gains. Poe’s resolution calls for a comprehensive review of the role played by financial institutions, e-wallet providers, internet service providers, digital platforms, and payment gateways in enabling and normalizing these gambling activities.
Lawmakers propose alternative regulatory approaches
Meanwhile, lawmakers remain divided on the best approach to address online gambling concerns. First-term House members recently pushed for improved regulations rather than outright bans, with Negros Occidental Representative Javi Benitez noting that regulated online gambling generated over PHP200 billion ($3.6 billion) in revenues annually and supports more than 40,000 Filipino workers directly.
According to a reporte from GMA News, Benitez emphasized that gaming revenues fund essential public services including hospitals, schools, infrastructure projects, community programs, and social services. The online gaming platform DigiPlus reportedly paid PHP33.7 billion ($600 million) in taxes, demonstrating the revenue potential of regulated platforms.
Bicol Saro party-list Representative Terry Ridon suggested implementing smarter regulatory policies, including physical cash-in requirements and raising minimum betting amounts to PHP10,000 ($178) or PHP20,000 ($356) to ensure bettors think twice about spending.
Legislative initiatives underway
On the legislative front, Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri filed the proposed Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025 on Monday, seeking to mandate internet service providers, mobile network operators, and digital platforms to block access to gambling websites within 72 hours upon notice from the Department of Justice or PAGCOR.
At the House of Representatives, Akbayan party-list Representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Ismulla filed House Bill 1351, known as the Kontra e-Sugal Act, which seeks to limit access to online gambling through various measures including strict age verification protocols, betting loss limits, and a national self-exclusion registry.
