Senator Erwin Tulfo on Monday suggested shifting online gambling payments directly to banks to limit access among low-income Filipinos and curb the growing digital betting problem.
Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, said that banks impose higher thresholds for deposits and withdrawals compared to e-wallets, which could discourage small daily wagers.
“Low-income earners are losing their daily wages to online gambling. What is frustrating is that gambling operators quickly found ways to bypass the restrictions,” he lamented.
The lawmaker explained that opening and maintaining a bank account typically requires at least 10,000 pesos, making it harder for low-wage earners to divert their limited earnings into gambling.
Tulfo said his team is monitoring how gambling companies continue to exploit loopholes despite regulatory action, including the continued use of e-wallets as a payment system even without direct links.
He cited BingoPlus, a gambling platform, which notified users that its services could be accessed through Viber shortly after the e-wallet restrictions took effect.
“You cannot say it’s just a game. If people want to play, there are plenty of options, but we have to make a clear distinction. Online gaming is different from online gambling. It becomes harmful when there is betting involved,” the senator said.
The lawmaker vowed that his committee will summon the central bank, e-wallet operators, telecommunications firms and banks in the next hearing to examine tighter controls.
