📷: Courtesy of Harvard Gazette
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is carefully reviewing growing calls for a nationwide ban on online gambling, amid mounting concerns over its social and economic consequences.
Speaking at a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the President is approaching the matter with deliberate caution.
“Ang mga pagpapasyang ganito po ay talagang pinag-aaralan kung ito ba’y makakaapekto sa ekonomiya, makaapekto sa mamamayan at hindi po tayo maaaring magpadalos-dalos po dito, dahil minsan po, kapag po mismo ang legal at license ng mga online gaming sites ang iyong iba-ban, mas dumadami ang mga illegal na online gaming sites at iyan po ay mas nakakaapekto sa ekonomiya, so pinag-aaralan po iyan ng Pangulo,” Castro noted.
Earlier, the Department of Finance proposed taxing the online gambling industry — a recommendation the President has signaled openness to.
However, several lawmakers are urging Marcos to go further and announce a full prohibition in his upcoming State of the Nation Address on July 28.
In response, leading operators Solaire Resort, Newport World Resorts, and Okada Manila issued a joint statement defending their regulated operations, which they describe as responsibly managed extensions of their physical casinos. The trio highlighted a suite of player safeguards, including self-exclusion options, deposit limits, and account restrictions, along with support resources for gambling-related concerns.
“We strictly follow the standards set by PAGCOR,” the companies stated, referencing their compliance with licensing, anti-money laundering protocols, marketing and advertising policies, and data privacy regulations.
Collectively, the three firms reported investing over $3 billion in efforts to boost the country’s tourism sector, allocating 2 percent of their gross gaming revenues to social development programs across various foundations.
Meanwhile, the Licensed Online Gaming Operators of the Philippines echoed support for stronger oversight rather than an outright ban. “Prohibition does not erase online gaming,” the group said. “It only erases the safeguards that protect the Filipino people.” (ZIA LUNA)
