Calls for Total Ban on Online Gambling Games
Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong has voiced strong support for a total ban on all online gambling games. He emphasized the significant social costs they impose, including addiction and mental health challenges. “If you want to take down the evil tree, the bad tree, you don’t just trim the branches, you uproot it,” Adiong said in a recent interview, stressing the urgent need to stop online gambling.
Adiong argued that since the government successfully banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) in their physical form, it should also ban them virtually. “Many countries have already banned online gambling. These games destroy not only the mental health of individuals but also the moral fiber of society,” he added.
Growing Concerns Over Youth Access
With the rise of mobile technology and e-wallet applications, online gambling has become easily accessible, especially among the youth. Adiong highlighted the difficulty in regulating young people who download gambling apps. “You not only reinforce the addiction of a person but also open the possibility of our youth becoming addicted to gambling,” he warned.
He expressed support for stricter measures or a full ban, given the sophisticated ways users can place bets and cash in money through their phones. “We’re pushing the next generation into disarray,” he said, underscoring the long-term societal damage.
Legislative Actions and Calls for Protection
Several lawmakers in the House of Representatives have filed bills aimed at limiting access to online gambling. Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, alongside Akbayan party-list Reps. Chel Diokno and Percival Cendaña, have urged the government to protect vulnerable groups from gambling’s harmful effects.
The push aligns with Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David’s recent criticism of the government for not shielding Filipinos, especially youth, from becoming “gambling addicts.”
Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian introduced a bill to impose tighter regulations on online gambling. He called on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) and other agencies to intensify efforts against illegal gaming websites to safeguard local internet users.
Balancing Revenue and Social Impact
While Adiong advocates a total ban, not all lawmakers share this view. Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores supports limiting access but acknowledges the revenue online gambling generates for the government. His proposed Anti-Online Gambling Promotions in E-Wallets Act targets top-ups through e-wallets, which can be as low as P50, making gambling highly accessible.
Flores said, “I also recognize that it generates some form of revenue — a revenue that is badly needed by the government. That’s true, but at what expense?” He stressed the importance of finding a balance between income and protecting Filipinos from gambling’s negative impacts.
With online gambling’s accessibility continuing to grow, lawmakers remain divided on the best approach. However, the call for stricter regulations or a full ban echoes across various sectors concerned about mental health, addiction, and youth protection.
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