Former anti-graft commissioner Nick Conti called for “bold legislation” to shield the youth and vulnerable groups from online gambling harm.
Conti, CEO of Capstone Intel Corp and former Presidential Anti-Graft Commission head, urged Congress to take a decisive step against gambling addiction by passing a law that bans all forms of online gambling advertising, similar to Italy’s landmark “Dignity Decree.”
Conti cited Italy’s 2018 legislation which imposed a sweeping ban on gambling advertisements across all media platforms—including online, TV, radio, and even sports sponsorships.
“Italy did what many countries were afraid to do—they drew a red line,” Conti said.
“They understood that gambling addiction doesn’t start in a casino. It starts with an ad on your phone, a logo on a jersey, or an influencer selling ‘easy money.’ Congress must now show that same courage,” he added.
He warned the unregulated spread of online gambling ads in the Philippines—particularly through social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook—has led to a surge in underage betting and financial losses among low-income earners.
“We are seeing a disturbing trend: college students gambling away their allowances, minimum-wage earners hooked on online bingo, and influencers normalizing betting as entertainment,” he said.
He pointed to the Italian model as proof that a total ad ban is both legally enforceable and socially effective, despite initial backlash from sports leagues and betting companies.
Under Italy’s Decreto Dignità (Dignity Decree), all forms of gambling promotion are prohibited, with violators facing steep penalties of up to 50,000 euros per violation. The law has since been credited with helping to reduce youth gambling rates and strengthening public awareness of gambling addiction.
“The Philippines must stop hiding behind so-called revenue gains and prioritize public health and moral responsibility,” Conti said.
“No amount of disclaimers or responsible gambling slogans can undo the psychological impact of a celebrity telling kids that betting is fun,” he added.
He urged lawmakers to introduce a “Gambling Advertisement Prohibition Act” that would ban all direct and indirect gambling ads on digital, print, and broadcast platforms; prohibit gambling sponsorships in professional and amateur sports; penalize companies and individuals promoting gambling through social media or streaming; and require public platforms to report and take down gambling-related content.
He also proposed using gambling tax revenues to fund addiction treatment and nationwide awareness campaigns.
“This is not an attack on gambling per se. This is about protecting children, the poor, and the digitally vulnerable from a highly manipulative industry. We can regulate the game—but let’s stop glamorizing it,” he said.
