Ian Paolo Villacencio

The Senate on July 14 raised concerns over the surge of online gambling in the Philippines, warning that mobile apps are turning phones into betting tools as gambling addiction cases continue to rise. 

Photo Courtesy of Algamus.

Senator Risa Hontiveros called for stricter regulation of digital gambling platforms, saying outdated laws have failed to keep up with rapidly evolving technology and are enabling a wave of addiction that is pushing families into debt.

“Our laws are being left behind by the rapid pace of technology…That’s why we’ve filed a bill to limit access to online gambling, particularly through e-wallets and super apps,” she addressed.

Hontiveros said the unchecked growth of digital betting platforms has made it too easy for Filipinos, especially the youth, to gamble using just their phones.

While major casino operators have reaffirmed their commitment to responsible gaming, she said that digital platforms must do the same.

“With so many complaints pointing to how phones have made online gambling too easy to access, why are e-wallet and super app companies silent? I hope that they would also take steps to self-regulate," she emphasized.

Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian echoed the urgency of the issue earlier this month as he urged on July 1 that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and other agencies block access to illegal online gambling sites and protect Filipino internet users.

“I strongly urge PAGCOR, along with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)... and other law enforcement agencies, to conduct a thorough operation to block these websites from being accessed by local internet users,” Gatchalian stated.

With digital platforms gaining ground faster than regulations can adapt, the Senate is pushing for swift and coordinated action to prevent gambling addiction from becoming a full-blown public crisis.