Online gambling is pulling thousands of Filipinos, including minors, into a cycle of addiction, debt and despair, and now a congressional inquiry is on the way.
1Tahanan Partylist Rep. Nathaniel M. Oducado has confirmed that he will file a resolution urging the House of Representatives to launch a formal probe into the scope, dangers and regulatory loopholes of online gambling in the Philippines.
Minors and low-income Filipinos caught in a digital trap
Oducado sounded the alarm on the rise in gambling activity among the most vulnerable sectors, particularly minors and low-income earners.
Citing a 2023 nationwide survey, he said 66 percent of Filipino internet users aged 18 to 40 have admitted to engaging in online gambling. That staggering figure includes students, homemakers, unemployed individuals and working professionals.
What’s more concerning, according to Oducado, is that a significant chunk of those gamblers are minors. He emphasized that online gambling remains highly accessible and deeply tempting, especially to young Filipinos and those in fragile mental or financial states.
He pointed out that over 50 percent of online gamblers come from households earning between ₱9,000 and ₱18,200 per month.
According to data, only 1 percent of online gamblers improved their financial situation. In contrast, nearly 10 percent saw their quality of life worsen due to gambling-related losses.
Gambling linked to mental health decline, suicide attempts
Oducado said the social impact of online gambling is even more alarming.
He warned that families are being torn apart and mental health conditions are deteriorating. Some cases have already escalated into attempted suicide.
There are current regulations in place. Executive Order 13 bans all unlicensed online gambling, with enforcement handled by PAGCOR, the Philippine National Police, the NBI and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
PAGCOR’s existing three-tier licensing structure includes provisions for responsible gaming. Still, addiction, criminal activity and unfiltered youth access continue to escalate.
Oducado stressed that these existing measures are no longer enough.
Lawmaker opens door to possible nationwide ban
He said the upcoming legislative inquiry would allow all stakeholders—including regulators, tech companies, social welfare agencies and the gaming industry itself—to present their positions and data.
This includes exploring whether stricter regulation is sufficient or if a total nationwide ban must be enforced.
He also called for stronger digital surveillance, mandatory reporting of gambling-related harm, and expanded mental health and rehabilitation services.
The freshman lawmaker believes that if the country continues to ignore the social and psychological toll of unregulated online gambling, the consequences will be irreversible.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.