Senators Risa Hontiveros and JV Ejercito raised alarm over the rapid rise of online gambling in the Philippines, warning that the accessibility of betting apps through smartphones and e-wallets is causing addiction among youth, low-income earners, and overseas workers.
Hontiveros filed a bill seeking to ban under-21s from online gambling, prohibit related ads, impose strict betting limits, and tax online gaming revenues to fund addiction rehabilitation and public awareness.
Ejercito also called for a Senate inquiry, noting that gambling apps are becoming more damaging than POGOs as they now target Filipinos, particularly the poor and vulnerable.
Both lawmakers emphasized the urgent need for stronger regulation to protect families from financial ruin.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines echoed the concern, denouncing the normalization of online gambling as a “moral virus” infecting Filipino society.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 9, 2025
