PH online gambling ban pushed anew in House, Senate

More lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and the Senate are keen on seeking an outright ban on online gambling, arguing that industry regulation as proposed by some of their other colleagues would not be enough.

Manila Representative Benny Abante has filed House Bill 1876 that aims to impose a ban on online gambling and offsite betting. He said online gambling has become an epidemic that "threatens the soul of the nation."

"Online gambling is not just a vice—it is a virus. It is an addiction that eats away at the moral fiber of our society. It erodes the values we teach our children, and it devastates the finances of Filipino families," Abante said in a press conference.

"Gambling has always profited off addiction. And today, it is worse because it has gone digital, viral, and global. There is nowhere a gambling addict can go to resist temptation because an addict cannot avoid casinos or cockpits if these are in the palms of their hands," Abante added.

Abante then said that while online gambling generates billions of government revenues that fund social services such as classrooms and healthcare, the risk is not worth it.

"No amount of government revenue can justify the human costs of this evil pastime. We cannot continue to build schools or roads with money soaked in the blood of fathers who have lost their savings, or of children who gambled away their futures," Abante said.

"We should not heal our citizens with resources generated from an industry that harms our fellow Filipinos," Abante added.

Several lawmakers have been split on how to deal with the proliferation of online gambling and casinos, with some pushing for restrictions while others seek an outright ban. 

In the upper chamber, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also earlier filed a similar measure last July 7 as part of his 10 priority measures.

Senator Loren Legarda also filed a bill calling for a comprehensive ban on online gambling, noting that online casinos have exposed vulnerable sectors of the Philippines to addiction, exploitation, and financial harm.

In a statement on Saturday, Legarda proposed to ban any form of online gambling, publishing, advertising, endorsing, and promoting gambling-related content online.

She said the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) must coordinate with each other on issuing takedown or blocking orders for gambling sites and other related content.

Internet service providers must comply within 48 hours of blocking, monitoring, and reporting these gambling platforms.

"Anybody with access to the internet could easily log on to online betting platforms, and it has blurred the lines between regulation and unregulated gaming. It has exposed the most vulnerable, such as minors, students, and low-income individuals, burying themselves in financially ruinous behavior that negatively affects them and their families," said Legarda.

"We ought to end the glorification of online gambling, for many have lost control and have not recovered from addiction, including many children,” she added.

'Epidemic'

For his part, Senator Raffy Tulfo said Tuesday that he will also file a bill seeking a total ban—not just merely regulation—of online gambling in the country, which he called an "epidemic." 

"Merong nagaganap na epidemic ngayon sa ating bansa at lumalala nang lumalala ang epidemic na ito. It's about time na lahat tayo magtulung-tulungan para magamot itong malalang epidemic," he said in a press conference. 

(There is an epidemic happening in our country right now and it's getting worse and worse. It's about time that we all work together to address this serious epidemic.) 

Ban, not regulate

Tulfo said he is not for regulating online gambling despite concerns that a total ban would result in its underground operations. He said it is the job of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to address such concerns.

He also said that even government officials linked in the proliferation of online gambling should be investigated.

"That has to be investigated. Dapat imbestigahan—sino 'yung mga pulitiko, sino 'yung mga malalaking opisyal na involved sa online gambling, online gaming. Eh 'di sampahan ng kaso sa Ombudsman, sampahan ng kaso sa Sandiganbayan. Find out who these people are," he said. 

(That has to be investigated. Probes should be launched to uncover the politicians and top officials involved in online gambling and online gaming. Cases should be filed against them before the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan. Find out who these people are.) 

"Kahit na sabihin nating legal, dapat ang mga pulitiko ay nagsisilbi sa taumbayan. Ang pangit naman 'yung kanilang pinagsisilbihan, 'yun 'yung tinatamaan nu'ng kanilang negosyo o kanilang involvement," he added. 

(Even if they say that's legal, politicians should serve the people. It doesn't look good if the people they are supposed to serve are affected by their business or affiliation with online gambling.)

Even accredited platforms

In his bill, Tulfo said he would push for the ban of all online gaming platforms, including those accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). 

The senator also called on PAGCOR to prohibit all forms of advertisements of online gambling, even in social media, television and radio. 

PAGCOR earlier announced that it has ordered gaming licensees and other industry stakeholders to dismantle all billboards and out-of-home gambling advertisements by August 15 this year.

Tulfo further expressed hope that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will mention in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28 the country's worsening problem with online gambling. 

"Sana makarating sa Pangulo kung gaano kalala na itong problema sa online gaming. At sana 'wag siyang lokohin, meaning 'wag siyang bigyan ng wrong information. Kasi usually 'yung ating Pangulo, umaasa lang naman 'yan doon sa mga advisers niya, sa mga alter ego niya kung ano sinasabi sa kanya, 'yun ang pinapakinggan niya," he added. 

(I hope this bad problem in online gaming reaches the President. And I hope he doesn't get fooled by the people giving him advice.)

Gov't-regulated

Also on Thursday, digital finance companies association FinTech Alliance PH said it is pushing for stricter regulations and enhanced regulatory measures for licensed online gaming platforms and their users.

FinTech Alliance PH includes major players in the digital finance sector such as GCash, RCBC, CIMB Bank, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, Maya, Tonik, GoTyme Bank, GrabPay, Xendit, and Smart Communications. 

Over the weekend, three of the country's largest integrated resort-casino operators assured that their online gaming operations comply with laws and regulations.

In a joint statement, Solaire Resort, Newport World Resorts, and Okada Manila said, "Our online gaming operations are a regulated and responsibly managed extension of our operations—designed to complement our primary offerings."

Earlier, online gaming operators licensed with PAGCOR called for stronger regulation but warned against a total ban on their industry, saying that doing so may prompt Filipino users to shift to unregulated sites in the black market.

They also said a ban would risk losing billions of pesos in revenue for the Philippines, instead of keeping pace with regional neighbors that are modernizing gaming regulations to attract investments and protect players. — with Jiselle Anne Casucian/VDV/VBL, GMA Integrated News