The Philippine House of Representatives will consider a new proposal aimed directly at the linkage mechanism between electronic wallets and online gambling platforms. The proposal, initiated by Jonathan Keith Flores, a representative from the second district of North Cotabato, aims to address the trend of "nationwide gambling addiction," especially the significant risks it poses to the lower classes.
In an interview with the One News program "Morning Matters," Flores openly stated that the prevalence of electronic wallets has made betting "easier than drinking water," with thousands of users getting involved in small-scale gambling cycles and unable to stop.
"Just a few coins can place a bet. Even without a penny, one can continue to gamble."
He pointed out that multiple cases show that low-income groups, such as jeepney drivers, even gamble on their phones while driving, with some apps having a minimum betting threshold of only 0.5 pesos. This extremely low threshold is quietly eroding the social structure, leading to an addiction problem that cannot be ignored.
Electronic wallets becoming "accomplices"? Gambling ads are everywhere
Although electronic wallets played an important role during the pandemic, bringing payment convenience to the public, Flores criticized that these platforms have now become "accelerators" for online gambling—not only allowing users to directly recharge their gambling accounts but even displaying promotional links on the homepage, inducing users to engage with gambling content.
"Gambling ads appearing on the homepage of an app with 90 million users is magnifying the danger," he said.
Gambling ads are also in the legislative scope
Besides restricting payment interfaces, Flores revealed that the Congress is planning a second wave of legislation aimed at completely banning online gambling ads on public platforms. This includes content on MRT carriages, delivery platforms, and even online placements endorsed by celebrities.
This proposal is not targeted at financial technology itself, but rather aims to "protect ordinary families from debt and addiction tragedies," Flores concluded.
"When a family's last 100 pesos can also be bet in an app, this is not just an entertainment issue, but a national crisis."
Philippine legislators propose measures: Plans to restrict e-wallets linked to gambling platforms to curb the "national addiction" crisis.
Comments0
The pony said with a smile, "No"
The Philippines is unique in letting its citizens indulge in gambling. While others open casinos to profit from foreigners, the Philippines does the opposite, exploiting its own people's gambling money.
The little horse will never give up this small treasury. He has never cared about the life and death of others at the bottom. Making money and the benefits of various senators' power are all that matter. The very existence of PIGO is to entertain the Filipino people. The harvesting of the people als
Challenge the little pony wallet?
You just ask, and the pony will just refuse.
Putting gambling money in an electronic wallet is absurd in itself.
The likelihood is not high.
Little Pony directly vetoed.
Wasn't this the president you chose yourselves?
/ THE END /
