ABS-CBN
'Phones are not casinos': Hontiveros files 'Kontra E-Sugal Act'
Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed the "Kontra E-Sugal Act" to ban online gambling access through e-wallets and super apps, aiming to safeguard Filipinos from its harmful effects.
The bill defines super apps as mobile or web applications combining multiple services into a single platform, making gambling too accessible.
Hontiveros stated that phones should not be casinos and that easy access through e-wallets has led many Filipinos into debt and even death.
The proposed legislation seeks to ban individuals under 21 years old from online gambling platforms.
The bill also wants to prohibit online gambling advertisements in social media, tri-media, and public spaces.
It mandates the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to implement betting and loss limits, with violations leading to a mandatory suspension of gaming accounts.
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See how different news organizations are covering this story. Below are the original articles from various Philippine news sources that contributed to this summary.
Senator Risa Hontiveros is urging e-wallet and super app companies to proactively self-regulate in response to the prevalence of online gambling.
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Five congressmen filed House Bill 721, the proposed Anti-Online Gambling Promotions in E-Wallets Act, aiming to prohibit e-wallets from facilitating online gambling.
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Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano have filed a bill proposing a ban on all forms of online gambling in the Philippines, citing its addictive nature and association with criminal activities.
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A bill has been filed in the House of Representatives seeking to regulate online gambling platforms to combat worsening gambling addiction, particularly among the youth.
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Senator Risa Hontiveros is calling for stricter regulations on online gambling due to its rapid growth and accessibility through mobile apps, which she believes is exacerbating addiction across the Philippines.
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