In a striking departure from calls for an outright crackdown, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued a sobering warning Friday: banning online gambling won’t be enough to stop the growing crisis of digital addiction gripping the Philippines.
Speaking to the Philippine media delegation during his state visit to India, Marcos Jr. delivered a blunt assessment of the issue, calling for a “measured” and multi-sectoral approach to a problem he says is far deeper than the platforms themselves.
“The ban will not take care of the problem,” Marcos Jr. declared. “We have to be a little bit more measured in our response.”
The President’s remarks come amid mounting pressure from lawmakers and religious groups to outlaw online gambling, which has surged in popularity and controversy in recent years. But Marcos Jr. pushed back, arguing that addiction, not the technology, is the real enemy.
“Is the problem online gambling? Or is the problem na-a-addict ang mga tao?” he asked. “That’s the problem. So let’s solve that problem.”
In a move that signals a sweeping policy review, Marcos Jr. revealed plans for a high-level “conclave” to convene stakeholders from across the spectrum, including PAGCOR, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), educators, law enforcement, and addiction specialists.
The goal: to weigh the economic benefits against the social costs, and to explore alternatives beyond prohibition.
The President cited the controversial shutdown of e-sabong (online cockfighting) as a cautionary tale, questioning whether the ban truly eliminated the underlying issues.
“If it comes down to a ban, then we will ban,” Marcos Jr. said. “But if there are better solutions than a ban, we will take those on.”
Marcos Jr. emphasized that his administration will not be swayed by knee-jerk reactions or populist demands. Instead, he pledged a policy rooted in evidence, consultation, and long-term impact.
His message was clear: the fight against online gambling addiction will not be won by sweeping it under the rug, it demands a full reckoning with the social, psychological, and economic forces at play. (ZIA LUNA)
