Catholic Church Calls for Total Ban on Online Gambling
The Catholic Church in the Philippines has firmly urged the government to impose a total ban on online gambling. Church leaders reject the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s (Pagcor) proposal to tighten regulations instead, emphasizing that the social harms caused by online gaming far outweigh any financial gains.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), highlighted these concerns during the 11th Philippine Conference on New Evangelization in Manila. He insisted that the government’s billions in revenue cannot justify the widespread social damage inflicted by online gambling.
Pagcor’s Response and Church’s Rebuttal
Pagcor chair Alejandro Tengco addressed Cardinal David in a letter, responding point by point to the CBCP’s pastoral letter from July 7, which called for outlawing online gambling. Tengco argued that banning online gambling would be a missed opportunity for government revenue and social program funding.
“Their reasoning ignores the addictive nature of online gambling, especially among the youth,” David countered. He even sarcastically remarked, “Just legalize shabu (crystal meth). In that way, the government will still earn. Just legalize all other sources of addiction for Filipinos.”
David also questioned the feasibility of regulating online gambling to prevent access among tech-savvy youth. “Do you really believe you can control digital natives from how they access any app online? I don’t think that’s possible,” he said. He added firmly, “I am sorry, but I do not agree that you can regulate something criminal. It (online gambling) is criminal through and through.”
Economic Impact and Social Concerns
Pagcor estimates that the government earns over P100 billion annually from online gambling. The industry provides direct employment to approximately 32,000 people and supports thousands more in related sectors such as security and courier services.
However, Tengco also blamed illegal online gambling operators for the ongoing chaos, including incidents where minors access betting platforms and develop addictions.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to announce a clear stance on banning online gambling, although he previously acted against Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) last year. Malacañang confirmed the president is attentive to the growing concerns of Filipinos addicted to this digital vice.
Online Gambling as Modern-Day Slavery
Cardinal David described online gambling as “modern-day slavery,” comparing its addictive grip to that of social media. He asked, “How many families have been destroyed by gambling debts? How many young people spend hours scrolling, seeking validation in likes and shares, losing the capacity to be present and losing even their social skills to build natural friendships? We are all vulnerable to it.”
He offered hope by saying, “Slavery is real. But I have good news for you: If slavery is real, so is the promise of freedom.” According to him, the Catholic Church serves as a “place of liberation” where freedom can grow through community support.
“Addictions thrive in isolation, but freedom grows in communion,” David emphasized. “When we listen to each other’s wounds, when we accompany one another, when we say, ‘I see you, I hear you,’ we help each other walk out of darkness.”
Church’s Ongoing Fight Against Social Ills
The CBCP previously described online gambling as “a deep and widespread moral crisis” that plagues the nation. In their pastoral letter, the bishops urged the government to outlaw all forms of online gambling and to strengthen oversight of online payment systems to prevent their misuse.
From illegal drugs to Pogos and e-sabong, the Catholic Church has taken a prominent role in combating emerging social ills in the Philippines. With nearly 90 million Filipino Catholics, the Church’s voice carries significant weight in national issues.
Cardinal David has been raising alarms about the dangers of online gambling for years. Since 2020, amid pandemic lockdowns when technology became essential, he has persistently called on authorities to address Filipinos’ growing addiction to this digital vice.
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