Ban or Regulate Online Casinos in the Philippines

The debate over online casinos in the Philippines is heating up, with strong arguments on both sides. Here's a breakdown of the key issues and perspectives:

The Push for a Ban

Addiction and Social Harm: Lawmakers and advocacy groups cite rising cases of gambling addiction, even among minors. Support groups report helping people as young as 13.

Emotional Toll: Stories like Reagan Praferosa who lost ₱50 million and attempted suicide highlight the devastating personal consequences.

Ease of Access: Mobile phones and e-wallets make gambling dangerously convenient, especially for low-income earners.

Catholic Church & PAGCOR Employees: Some voices within PAGCOR itself support a total ban, arguing the human cost outweighs economic gains.

The Case for Regulation

Rep. Joseph Bernos warns that banning online casinos could push gambling underground, making it harder to monitor and more dangerous.

Economic Impact: Online gaming generated ₱51 billion in revenue in Q1 2025 alone, half of PAGCOR’s total gaming income.

Job Creation: Employed over 50,000 workers, from tech developers to customer support.

Responsible Operators: Promote ethical gaming with age verification, deposit limits, and self-exclusion tools.

Legislative Landscape

Bills Filed: Some lawmakers want to ban e-wallets for gambling or outlaw online platforms entirely.

Senate Hearings: Ongoing discussions aim to balance public welfare with economic opportunity.

PAGCOR’s Role: As both regulator and operator, PAGCOR faces criticism for potential conflicts of interest. Some bills propose splitting its functions.

Global Lessons

Brazil’s Model: Instead of banning, Brazil introduced strict regulations, facial recognition, deposit caps, and self-assessment tools to protect users.

DigiPlus chairman Eusebio Tanco said that of the world’s 195 countries, only 18 including Iran, Iraq, North Korea, and Somalia currently enforce outright bans on online gambling.

Bottom Line

The debate isn’t just about gambling it’s about how society handles risk, freedom, and responsibility. Should the government protect citizens by banning online casinos, or empower them through strict regulation?

Would you lean toward regulation or prohibition?