Calls to Ban Online Gambling Gain Urgency
A senior lawmaker has urged the government to enforce a total ban on online gambling, demanding the prohibition of e-wallets as funding channels for this destructive industry. In a privilege speech before the 20th Congress, Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez emphasized the need for immediate political will to stop the spread of online gambling.
“Today we must take an even bolder step. Let us put an end to the silent epidemic of online gambling,” Rodriguez declared, calling for legislation that would not only outlaw online betting but also prevent apps such as GCash, Maya, and ShopeePay from being used to fund these activities.
Online Gambling’s Hidden Dangers on Smartphones
The lawmaker highlighted how gambling, once limited to casinos and cockfights, now lurks inside smartphones, accessible 24/7 without age restrictions. He warned that anyone, including minors, can easily register on gambling platforms, deposit funds via e-wallets, and risk financial ruin within minutes.
“Gambling, once confined to casinos and cockfights, now hides in our smartphones, accessible 24/7, often with no age restrictions and just a click away from financial ruin,” he said. “Any person, even a minor, can register through a gambling app, fund it through an e-wallet, and lose money within minutes.”
Strengthening Enforcement and Accountability
Rodriguez also urged empowering agencies like the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to shut down violations and file charges against offenders. He criticized celebrities such as Vice Ganda, Ivana Alawi, and Alden Richards for endorsing gambling apps like BingoPlus, which glamorize gambling and lure millions with promises of quick wealth.
“We see celebrities, influencers, and even beauty queens endorsing these apps, [enticing] millions of Filipinos with promises of instant riches,” Rodriguez pointed out. “These endorsements are often packaged as lifestyle content, making gambling appear harmless and aspirational.”
The Social Cost of Online Gambling
“Gambling is not a private vice; it has public consequences,” the lawmaker stressed. “Financial aid for the few must not justify suffering for the many.” He added that gambling traps the poor and poisons cultural values, making it an unsustainable driver of development.
Recent reports of Filipinos sinking into debt or losing everything to online betting have intensified calls to ban online gambling. Moreover, the unresolved cases of missing “sabungeros” allegedly abducted over unpaid debts have raised concerns about human rights abuses linked to the industry.
Despite expectations, the President did not address the issue in his recent State of the Nation Address, leaving the debate open.
For more news and updates on online gambling, visit Filipinokami.com.
