The chaotic situation of online gambling in the Philippines has once again become a social focus. Despite the government's recent increased regulation on e-wallets and online payment platforms, with some funding channels being completely cut off, online gambling and platforms like POGO have not ceased operations. Instead, they quickly shifted to social media and e-commerce channels, continuing to attract players with false bonuses and high prize promotions.
Recently, many users have reported receiving text messages from unknown numbers saying: "Want a 95% chance of winning? Go to Facebook and find the account with a blue profile picture, and send a private message to claim it." This type of seemingly tempting information is precisely the past trick used by POGO, using high winning probabilities as a lure, but actually leading players gradually into the gambling trap, eventually becoming unable to extricate themselves.
Experts point out that even if e-wallet service providers like GCash and Maya have completely cut off gambling funds under the central bank (BSP) 48-hour ultimatum, gambling groups can still operate through social platforms, instant messaging tools, and even e-commerce platforms. They use game point cards, vouchers, or so-called "bonus benefits" for indirect traffic attraction, with strong psychological inducement, especially prone to addicting low-income groups and young people. Once addicted to gambling, it can not only accumulate huge debts but also bring severe economic and emotional impacts to families.
Philippine Senator Erwin Tulfo warned that the fight against gambling is not limited to e-wallet platforms alone; other applications such as Viber, Telegram, and Lazada should also be included in the regulation to prevent them from becoming new springboards for gambling groups. "The fight against gambling is far from over, and the government and private sectors must form an alliance to propose comprehensive solutions," he emphasized. Only through cross-platform joint prevention can the next generation of Filipinos be protected from the harms of gambling addiction.
The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) has long listed online gambling as a public health hazard, warning of its potential to expose minors, lead to excessive betting, and cause family financial crises. Meanwhile, the gambling industry organization PlaySafe Alliance emphasizes that the real threat comes from unlicensed, illegal platforms, while licensed operators have age verification, customer review (KYC), and responsible gambling mechanisms in place.
Regulatory bodies state that cooperation from e-wallets is an important step, but it is still not enough to completely block the infiltration of gambling groups. Further improvements in regulatory systems are necessary to strictly control the gray areas of social media and bonus activities. At the same time, the public is called upon to remain vigilant, not to be deceived by so-called "high winning rates" promotions, and to actively report suspicious accounts to maintain social order and personal property safety.
