TWO consumer advocacy groups are urging Congress to rethink proposals for a total ban on online gambling and pursue instead tougher regulation backed by cybersecurity, financial tracking, and stronger enforcement tools.
Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3) and Konsyumer at Mamamayan (KM) argued that sweeping bans will push online gambling underground, beyond reach of regulators and more vulnerable to abuse.
The two groups proposed policies that focus on identifying and disabling illegal gambling operations through smarter, tech-based approaches.
“People are right to be concerned about the harms tied to gambling,” said BK3 convenor lawyer Karry Sison,
“But simply banning something operating in cyberspace will not work as illegal online gaming sites operating from abroad, beyond our laws, will still be able to spread harmful software and stealing user data,” she explained.
Sison pointed out that government agencies have already blocked thousands of sites, but many continue to resurface using new web addresses and offshore servers.
“You can shut down one site today, and it’s replaced by another tomorrow. That’s why we need systems that track and stop these operators before they reach our screens,” she said. “This is a cybersecurity issue, and we should treat it as such.”
The groups noted that unregulated gambling platforms often serve as entry points for fraud, identity theft, phishing scams, and even human exploitation. Because these platforms operate without oversight, users have no protection from malicious code or data breaches.
“Banning regulated platforms does not remove the risk—it just shifts it somewhere harder to see and harder to control,” Sison added.
KM convenor Danilo Lorenzo DeLos Santos highlighted the critical role digital financial services can play in enforcement, particularly mobile wallets.
“E-wallets are used every day by ordinary Filipinos,” he said. “With the right rules in place, they can help detect unusual patterns like frequent betting, underage users, or suspicious accounts. Deploying these tools can give regulators the visibility they need to act fast.”
The groups supported proposals for stricter KYC (Know Your Customer) protocols, transaction monitoring, and automatic flagging systems to help identify illegal gambling flows in real-time. They also urged regulators to build stronger coordination between fintech companies, law enforcement, and international enforcement agencies like Interpol.
“This is about building a safer online environment—not just for players, but for everyone who uses the internet and digital payments,” said DeLos Santos. “We need rules that follow the money, track the bad actors, and keep people informed and protected.”
“We’re not asking to ignore the risks. We’re asking to face them with solutions that actually work,” Sison said.
