Study shows 75% of Filipino players would move to underground sites if online gambling is banned
A study by The Fourth Wall reveals that 75% of surveyed Filipino players believe an outright ban on online gambling will push them to underground sites or unregulated foreign platforms.
The majority of respondents from urbanized areas like Mega Manila and Metro Cebu prefer stronger regulations against illegal gambling platforms to avoid scams and curb addiction, with 80% expressing support for banning unregulated platforms due to concerns over scams and addiction.
John Brylle Bae, the research director at The Fourth Wall, noted that an outright ban would likely increase risks such as scams and addiction through unregulated channels, while stricter regulation was supported by 18% who cited age restrictions and real-time ID checks.
The study found a 76% surge in scams targeting social media users on platforms like Facebook, highlighting the need for better consumer protection, with e-wallets like GCash seen as key tools in responsible gambling due to their robust verification processes.
Most respondents have gambled on cockfights or bet on social media, while only 7% have gambled in physical casinos, and there is a pronounced resistance to a ban among cockfighting bettors who desire continuity over restriction.
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