Lawmakers push for stricter regulations on online gambling amid moves to ban

First-term House members on Tuesday pushed for improved regulations on online gambling amid measures seeking restrictions and even a total ban.

Negros Occidental Rep. Javi Benitez said regulated online gambling generated over P200 billion in revenues annually. He added that more than 40,000 Filipino workers depended directly on regulated online gambling platforms.

Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said smarter government regulatory policies are the way to go, citing the need for balance as "there are actual government revenues generated through online and physical gambling activities."

"That money doesn’t vanish. It goes directly into hospitals, schools, infrastructure projects, community programs, and social services that improve our daily lives," Benitez said, referring to the billions in revenues yearly.

Benitez said the online gaming platform DigiPlus reported paying P33.7 billion in taxes.

"This is because legal, regulated platforms keep gambling transparent and accountable,” Benitez said.

Benitez is the son of Bacolod City Rep. Albee Benitez, the founder of the online gaming platform DigiPlus. The elder Benitez has since divested control of the company.

“[DigiPlus verifies] ages to protect minors, ensure games are fair, prevent exploitation, and help spot and support people struggling with gambling addiction early, which is not possible when with underground operators. Outright bans only make matters worse,” Benitez said.

As regards the workers relying on online gambling, Benitez said, "These are real people with families, relying on these jobs for food, education, healthcare, and a better life."

"That is why I fully support stricter regulations, including smarter, tighter controls to protect citizens and maximize public benefit,” Benitez said.

"The reality is simple: Gambling is here to stay. The only question is whether we want it safely regulated and benefiting our communities or unregulated and controlled by criminals. Let’s protect Filipino jobs, fund essential services, and keep our people safe," he added.

Ridon said it was "to decouple the access of online gaming in popular payment platforms because that could use up all the money people have."

“For one, a physical cash-in can be implemented, just like when you are placing your bet in lotto, wherein the person goes to the physical lotto outlet,” Ridon added.

Ridon suggested raising the minimum cash-in for bettors, which could be pegged at P10,000 or P20,000 to ensure that the bettors would think twice about spending that much instead of spending it on groceries and school expenses, among other necessities. 

“This is a huge difference from the current setup, wherein you can bet as low as P1 or P20,” Ridon said.

Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Monday filed his proposed Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025, seeking to mandate internet service providers, mobile network operators, and digital platforms to block access to gambling websites and remove related apps within 72 hours upon notice from the Department of Justice or Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. 

At the House of Representatives, Akbayan party-list Representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Ismulla filed House Bill 1351 seeking to limit access to online gambling or the Kontra e-Sugal Act.

Under the proposal, access to online gambling or casinos will be limited by imposing the following measures:

•     establishment of strict age verification protocols
•     prescribing limits on advertising and promotion
•     implementing a national- self-exclusion registry
•     imposing betting loss limits
•     prescribing minimum guidelines for player protection
•     creating a harm mitigation levy
•     recognize gambling disorder as a public health condition
•     banning campaign contributions from gambling operators and
•     implement strict penalties for unlicensed operators and non-compliant persons.

–NB, GMA Integrated News