US Edition‘More Dangerous’ than Pogos: Should Philippines Ban Online Gambling?
PHILIPPINES, JUL 7 – Legislators and the Catholic Bishops Conference call for recognizing gambling addiction as a public health issue with education, treatment, and stricter controls on online payment systems.
- On July 11, 2025, Pagcor ordered licensees and operators to remove all gambling advertisements by August 15 across the Philippines to address rising addiction concerns.
- This directive follows increasing public and episcopal concern about the rapid growth of online gambling, which has been linked to mental health and social problems, especially among youth.
- Pagcor chairman Alejandro Tengco emphasized that regulating excessive gambling ads protects vulnerable sectors, noting many illegal operators from abroad disrupt the market and evade oversight.
- Gross gaming revenue in the industry increased by 30.52% to ₱372.33 billion in 2024, primarily due to growth in online gaming, while Representative Brian Poe has introduced a measure calling for an examination of the social issues linked to unregulated gambling, emphasizing the need for prompt review.
- These measures and investigations suggest growing legislative and regulatory efforts to balance industry revenue with public health, aiming to mitigate gambling addiction’s severe social consequences.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Philippines orders removal of gambling ads amid addiction fears
The Philippines’ gaming regulator has ordered the immediate dismantling of all gambling billboards and advertisements across the country amid worries over a growing betting addiction in the Southeast Asian nation.
Rep. Brian Poe files House resolution to probe online gambling
MANILA, Philippines – Rep. Brian Poe has filed a resolution to investigate the growing social concerns associated with online gambling and its impact on the Filipino public. The resolution seeks to address the rise of illegal and unregulated online gambling operations and aims to strengthen policies that protect citizens from harmful digital gambling activities. Recently, the Philippine gaming industry has seen remarkable growth, reaching ₱410.4…
Phones are not casinos – Hontiveros
SEN. Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday sought a ban on applications that enable people to gamble using their phones, saying minors are becoming addicted to these games.“Phones are not casinos,” the senator said in a statement on Tuesday, after filing a bill that severely restricts online gambling.“It is now easier to get addicted to gambling because it is very accessible through e-wallets and super apps,” she said.Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, meanwhile…
Public health crisis: Catholic bishops urge gov’t to regulate online gambling
In a recent pastoral letter, the CBCP expressed deep concern over the rapid proliferation of online gambling platforms, warning that the phenomenon has quietly but pervasively infiltrated Filipino households, affecting individuals, families and communities.
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