(1st Update) Lawmakers in the Philippines remain divided over the future of online gambling, as proposals to regulate, restrict, or completely ban the industry gain traction in Congress.
Negros Occidental Third District Representative Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez has defended online gambling in the country, advocating for tighter regulation over total prohibition, as he emphasized its economic contributions and the livelihoods it supports.
In a public statement on Tuesday, July 8, Benitez said more than 40,000 Filipinos currently work in licensed online gambling platforms, which he described as a source of income for families who rely on it for basic needs, education, and healthcare.
Benitez cited figures showing that the industry generates over P200 billion annually, with DigiPlus alone paying P33.7 billion in taxes that help fund public services such as hospitals, schools, infrastructure, and community programs.
He pointed to countries such as the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark, where strong regulatory frameworks govern online gambling, ensuring accountability and player protection.
“History has proven repeatedly that prohibition simply doesn’t work. Remember alcohol prohibition? Illegal liquor flourished, crime surged, and consumers were left unprotected,” he said. “The same happened here with jueteng, banning it never stopped it; it just made illegal gambling bosses rich, corrupted authorities, and exploited vulnerable citizens”.
According to the lawmaker, legal platforms implement safeguards like age verification, responsible gaming tools, and early detection of gambling-related harm — features he said are impossible to enforce in illegal settings.
“I fully support stricter regulations. Smarter, tighter controls to protect citizens and maximize public benefit. But outright bans only make matters worse,” Benitez said.
Benitez is the son of Bacolod City lone district representative Albee Benitez, a billionaire businessman with known interests in entertainment and gaming industries. The Benitez family also holds shares in DigiPlus Interactive Corporation, the same firm the congressman cited as a major taxpayer in the industry.
Opposition
In contrast, Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano are calling for a complete ban on online gambling. They recently filed a bill seeking to prohibit all forms of online gambling in the country, citing growing concerns about its impact on youth, families, and public morality.
“Online gambling is particularly addicting and dangerous, especially for the youth,” Senator Pia Cayetano said.
In her explanatory note, she warned that the industry has become a breeding ground for criminal activity, including fraud, cybercrime, money laundering, and human trafficking.
Their bill proposes steep penalties: at least P10 million in fines and up to 10 years in prison for operators, up to P100,000 in fines and six months’ imprisonment for users, and up to P5 million in fines and five years in prison for advertisers and promoters.
The measure also seeks to create an Online Gambling Control Task Force under the Office of the President to lead enforcement.
“This legislation aims to protect Filipino families, uphold public morals, and preserve the security of our digital and financial systems,” Senator Cayetano said.
Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has proposed a middle-ground approach, filing a bill that seeks to impose stricter controls on online gambling rather than banning it outright.
Gatchalian said he received alarming reports that even minors are now accessing gambling platforms, prompting the need for urgent reform.
His proposed bill includes increasing the legal gambling age from 18 to 21, raising the minimum cash-in requirement to P10,000, and setting a P5,000 minimum top-up to discourage impulsive betting.
The bill also prohibits gambling companies from sponsoring public events or donating to political campaigns and bans online banks from processing gambling-related transactions.
In addition, it mandates the allocation of a portion of regulatory fees to fund gambling addiction rehabilitation centers.
“Because online gambling is so accessible, even children can participate. The existing safeguards are not enough,” Gatchalian said.
He also called on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to intensify efforts in blocking illegal online gambling websites.
Gatchalian warned that online gambling, left unchecked, can contribute to a rise in mental health issues, financial distress, addictive behavior, and criminal activity.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.