Philippine president decries online gambling’s impact on families

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has warned that online gambling is tearing families apart, blaming its easy accessibility through technology.

In a social media vlog, Marcos warned that technology, while intended to improve lives, is increasingly being exploited for harmful purposes such as gambling, scams, and the spread of misinformation. “Many families are being destroyed by it (online gambling), especially if it is used irresponsibly,” he said.

“Technology is here to make our lives easier, to rid the government of corruption, to speed up processes, to improve education, health care and trade," Marcos added. "Above all, to make the Filipino family successful and united. Not to destroy it."

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed that Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) remain banned. The government is now studying whether to ban all forms of online gambling.

“With regard to online gaming that is not akin to scams or that has nothing to do with scams and online fraud, we are still looking into it because we have to see all the ramifications that gaming of that method may be allowed to operate,” Bersamin said.

Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Risa Hontiveros, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Pia Cayetano are pushing for a full ban. Gatchalian is drafting a bill that would punish not just operators but also promoters, including influencers and payment platforms.

Vice President Sara Duterte, speaking in The Hague on July 19, echoed the call for stricter measures, stating she is “against all forms of online gambling” due to its accessibility to young people. She said that while she supports regulated gambling in controlled environments, online platforms lack sufficient safeguards.

 “But if you place these [regulated gambling] online, wherein we would not be able to control who could open an account to gamble, I do not support that because it would destroy families, and the future of young people,” Duterte said.

The Department of Finance is proposing stricter rules and higher taxes for online gambling platforms.

Meanwhile, top operators like Solaire, Newport World Resorts, and Okada Manila defended their operations. They claim their online platforms are regulated, responsibly managed, and contribute to tourism and development, with 2% of revenues going to foundations.