End online gambling

Online gambling in the Philippines has grown at an alarming rate, quietly weaving itself into the fabric of everyday life. What was once dismissed as a harmless pastime has now revealed itself as a national concern – destroying families, draining personal finances and fostering crime. The scale of the industry underscores this urgency.

In 2024, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) reported gross gambling revenues of P410 billion, with electronic gaming alone contributing nearly P49 billion – half of its total earnings. Much of this growth comes from lightly regulated platforms that aggressively target users through social media and capitalize on the country’s high smartphone use.

Faced with these realities, I firmly believe that only a total ban can safeguard our people.

Some argue that regulation is the answer – that stricter rules, better monitoring and improved safeguards can mitigate the damage. But experience tells us otherwise. Even with regulatory agencies in place, illegal operators thrive and existing controls are too easily circumvented by tech-savvy users. The rise of offshore operators and underground betting sites shows that partial measures only create loopholes for exploitation.

The government’s revenue gains, while tempting, cannot outweigh the irreversible damage to Filipino lives. Gambling (whether online or not) has left families fractured, driven people into mental health crises and, in the worst cases, pushed lives to the brink. It has now become a social emergency with lasting consequences – one that regulation alone cannot solve.

A 2023 national survey revealed that two-thirds of Filipinos aged 18 to 24 are actively engaged in online gambling, many placing bets several times a week. Across campuses, stories have emerged of students skipping classes, borrowing money or even misusing their parents’ credit cards just to sustain the habit. The problem extends beyond the young: in low-income communities, households are deprived of already limited resources as family members gamble away earnings meant for food and education. The damage is not merely financial. Rising cases of stress, depression and family conflict have been linked to gambling addiction, echoing global research that draws a direct connection between gambling behavior and mental health decline. What we are witnessing is not an isolated vice but a social epidemic that undermines both community well-being and national productivity.

This is why a total ban must be seriously considered. By shutting down local platforms, removing online advertisements and blocking gambling apps and websites, we can cut off the supply at its root.

The responsibility to curb the harm of online gambling does not rest on the government alone. Companies must also take a stand against this growing social epidemic, showing through action that they will not stay silent when their people are at risk.

The American Psychological Association identifies five motivators behind gambling: socialization, amusement, avoidance, excitement and monetary gain. Left unchecked, these triggers can quietly pull people into harmful cycles.

Financial institutions and digital platforms must also take responsibility by strengthening safeguards that prevent misuse of their systems for gambling transactions. This can include stricter verification processes, transaction monitoring tools and consumer alerts that discourage impulsive betting. In addition, the marketing of gambling products – especially online – should be tightly regulated to prevent aggressive targeting of vulnerable populations, including minors and young adults. Restricting advertisements on social media, influencer channels and other digital spaces can curb exposure to harmful promotions that fuel addictive behavior.

Schools play a critical role in prevention. They should integrate awareness campaigns and age-appropriate modules into their curricula to educate students about the risks of gambling and the long-term consequences it carries. Training teachers and guidance counselors to spot early warning signs of gambling addiction can provide an extra layer of protection for young people.

Another indirect effect of online gambling on corporate Philippines is the increased access to gambling platforms among employees, leading to workplace problems. With many gambling platforms accessible via smartphones and VPNs (virtual public networks), employees may be tempted to gamble during work hours, leading to reduced productivity and financial stress.

This issue is particularly prevalent in call centers and BPO (business process outsourcing) firms, where shift work, high stress and disposable income combine to create vulnerability to gambling.

An internal HR (human resources) survey by a BPO company in Ortigas found that 89 percent of employees had engaged in online gambling during work hours, and three percent admitted to borrowing money due to gambling losses.

This leads to absenteeism, poor work performance and even internal fraud, as desperate employees may be tempted to misuse company resources or commit theft.

Ultimately, fighting online gambling requires a whole-of-society effort.

From households to boardrooms, classrooms to digital platforms, marketing channels to community spaces, every sector has a role to play in building a culture that prioritizes health, responsibility and real opportunities for growth over fleeting, destructive highs.

As business leaders, we must always advocate for a better future. But now, we stand at a crossroads. Will we be the catalysts of a better future? It is time to end online gaming for the sake of future generations.