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Banning online gambling could send it underground – Benitez
Lawmakers are advocating for enhanced regulations on online gambling, rather than an outright ban, citing significant revenue generation and employment opportunities.
Negros Occidental Rep. Javi Benitez highlighted that regulated online gambling contributes over P200 billion annually to the economy and supports more than 40,000 Filipino jobs.
Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon suggested that improved government regulatory policies offer a balanced approach, acknowledging the substantial revenues derived from both online and physical gambling.
Rep. Benitez emphasized that these revenues are channeled into essential public services such as hospitals, schools, infrastructure, and community programs.
He also pointed to DigiPlus as an example, a platform whose regulated operations resulted in P33.7 billion in taxes.
Benitez further argued that regulated platforms ensure transparency, accountability, and safeguards like age verification and support for problem gamblers, which are absent in underground operations.
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Licensed online gaming operators in the Philippines are advocating for stronger regulation rather than a complete ban on online gaming, warning that prohibition would drive players to unregulated black market sites.
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Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Alejandro Tengco opposes a total ban on online gambling, warning of significant revenue losses for the government.
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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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FinTech Alliance Philippines, representing over 130 corporate members including major banks and e-wallets, supports the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) enhanced measures to curb problems related to online gambling.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is currently reviewing proposals for a complete prohibition of online gambling within the Philippines, with Malacañang stating that the decision is being carefully considered for its potential economic and social ramifications.
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