Vice President Sara Duterte Opposes Online Gambling Risks
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte firmly expressed her opposition to online gambling, highlighting the significant dangers it poses to many Filipinos, especially the youth. She emphasized the need to address the rapid spread of online gambling in the country.
Asked about her stance amid the growing prevalence of online betting platforms, Duterte said, “I am against online gambling. So I am not in favor of all kinds of online gambling because parents can’t control their children’s access to the internet.” Her statement, delivered in a mix of Filipino and English during an interview in The Hague, Netherlands, stressed how easily accessible online gambling is, making it a serious threat to families.
“Online gambling is made easy to easily shell out money from people and once you get addicted to online gambling, families will have problems due to growing debt,” she added, warning about the financial and social consequences of addiction.
Calls for Regulation and Control
The vice president supports regulating gambling but insists that not everyone should have unrestricted access to gambling sites. She explained, “But if you put it online where we can’t control who can open an account to gamble, I am not in favor of that because it destroys families and the future of the youth.”
This perspective aligns with concerns raised by various officials and lawmakers who urge careful consideration before making decisions on banning or regulating online gambling.
Government and Lawmakers’ Responses
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro recently noted that any move to ban online gambling should not be rushed. She referenced Senator Raffy Tulfo’s recommendation for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address this issue in his upcoming State of the Nation Address.
Additionally, the Department of Finance has proposed taxing online gaming operators. The president is reportedly open to this as long as there is sufficient research backing the proposal.
Meanwhile, several legislators have filed bills in the 20th Congress aiming to either regulate or prohibit online gambling. Among them are Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, who introduced House Bill No. 1351, the “Kontra E-Sugal Bill.” This bill targets the worsening gambling addiction, particularly among young Filipinos.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also filed the Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025, which seeks a complete ban on all forms of online gambling, including digital betting platforms, mobile apps, and websites.
Other senators, like Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian, propose additional measures such as banning online gambling through e-wallets and super apps, and imposing stricter controls to curb addiction.
For more news and updates on online gambling, visit Filipinokami.com.
