President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is currently reviewing growing calls to implement a total ban on online gambling in the Philippines, according to Malacañang Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President is carefully weighing the potential economic and social effects of such a move.
“Decisions like this are thoroughly studied to assess their impact on the economy and the public. We cannot rush into it. Sometimes, banning legal and licensed online gaming sites results in a rise in illegal platforms, which could affect the economy even more,” Castro said during a press briefing.
Meanwhile, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) Deputy Executive Director Renato Paraiso said the agency has initially flagged the top 20 influencers involved in the promotion of unauthorized gambling sites.
Around 80 percent of them have since voluntarily stopped their activities, he said.
“The CICC has already written to social media platforms regarding influencers who did not heed our warning,” Paraiso said in a radio interview Tuesday, noting that the crackdown will continue beyond the initial group of high-profile personalities.
Earlier, the Palace said Mr. Marcos was open to the Department of Finance’s proposal to impose taxes on the online gaming industry.
Senator Raffy Tulfo joined other lawmakers in urging a total ban on online gambling, expressing hope that the President would address the issue in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28.
Meanwhile, top online gambling operators Solaire Resort, Newport World Resorts, and Okada Manila issued a joint statement asserting that their operations are regulated and responsibly managed extensions of their casino businesses.
The companies said they promote responsible gaming by offering tools such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, and account restrictions, as well as support for individuals facing gambling-related concerns.
The three firms also said they comply with regulations set by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), including licensing, anti-money laundering rules, advertising policies, data privacy, and content review.
Solaire, Newport, and Okada added that each has invested at least $1 billion to support the country’s tourism sector and contribute 2 percent of gross gaming revenues to development projects through various foundations.
The Licensed Online Gaming Operators in the Philippines, in an earlier statement, called for stronger regulation rather than a total ban. “Prohibition does not erase online gaming. It only erases the safeguards that protect the Filipino people,” the group said.
