Marcos weighs online gambling ban; lawmakers push for regulation

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is still considering his options regarding a total ban on online gambling, emphasizing the need for thorough study to understand its potential impacts.

Some lawmakers expressed disappointment over the lack of discussion about online gaming during Marcos' fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that a careful assessment is needed to determine how banning licensed online gambling could affect assistance provided to citizens and the economy, noting that revenues from these sites support various national programs.

Calls for regulation are growing due to concerns over Filipinos becoming addicted to gaming sites, and potential economic impacts must be considered before taking action.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto suggested regulating online gambling instead of a total ban as it might drive more people towards illegal gambling.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines president Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David has called on the government to act on the peril of online gambling, urging them not to be complicit in the harm caused by gambling addiction.

Senator Erwin Tulfo announced that the Senate will hold an investigation into online gambling in the country, reflecting increasing scrutiny and calls for stricter regulation or a total ban.