Online gambling in the Philippines has once again sparked intense debate, with some people getting rich and others seeing their families destroyed. On August 2, the Senate refocused on whether to completely ban online gambling. Majority leader Joel Villanueva pushed for the "Anti-Online Gambling Act," advocating for the shutdown of all online gambling platforms, websites, and apps. He emphasized, "Online gambling is addictive, destroys countless families, and has no positive benefits for national development."
Former Senate President Zubiri also expressed support, describing online gambling as a "silent social epidemic" and urging the government to intervene immediately.
However, the gambling industry strongly opposes the "one-size-fits-all" ban. DigiPlus Group Chairman Eusebio Tanco pointed out that online gambling supports the livelihoods of over 50,000 families. If the government wants to strengthen regulation, they are willing to cooperate, but they cannot rashly prohibit it.
Senator Zhang Qiaowei proposed a middle-ground solution, including raising the minimum gambling age to 21, restricting advertising content, and banning digital wallets like GCash and PayMaya from participating in gambling transactions. He believes that strict regulation is more practical than a complete ban.
Under pressure from various parties, GCash also announced that it would modify its advertising strategy to create a "safer gambling environment" to meet compliance requirements.
Experts point out that the proliferation of gambling is actually driven by poverty and life anxieties. Studies show that low-income groups are more prone to gambling addiction, seeing it as a way to turn their lives around, but most end up bankrupt and in debt.
The Central Bank of the Philippines has begun to assess whether to restrict the use of digital payment tools in the gambling industry. The policy battle continues, and the future of online gambling remains uncertain.
Is it a tool for survival or a destructive abyss? The direction of gambling regulation is still full of uncertainties.
Meanwhile, Senator Irwin Tulf publicly stated that cracking down on POGO has not really solved the problem. He pointed out that although the government has regulated some offshore gambling platforms, local companies quickly "fill the gap," reflecting significant loopholes in the regulatory system.
Tulf bluntly stated that current measures are merely "curing the symptoms but not the disease," as closed POGOs often reemerge under the guise of local Philippine companies or through new platforms. "Since banning them is impossible, it's better to regulate them reasonably and legally, rather than forcing them underground."
He noted that the Philippine gambling law system is chaotic, lacking a unified framework, allowing many gray platforms to exploit legal loopholes and evade regulation. This not only undermines government authority but also exacerbates issues like gambling addiction and financial fraud.
"If legislation is not expedited, the industry will completely spiral out of control, ultimately harming the most vulnerable people." He called on Congress to quickly promote gambling law reforms, unify licensing standards, tax policies, and enforcement powers, allowing legal platforms to operate orderly while cracking down on illegal gambling networks.
Although the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is collaborating with multiple government agencies to regulate, the trend of POGOs shifting to local platforms is becoming more apparent, indicating that current regulations are not keeping up with industry evolution.
Tulf stated that he will promote a comprehensive review of local and cross-border gambling at the upcoming Senate hearing, urging the government to introduce a systematic legal framework soon to address the multiple challenges involving employment, finance, and social governance.
