PAOCC executive calls for online gambling ban in the Philippines
The Executive Director of Philippine anti-corruption organization the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission has supported an online gambling ban, citing concerns over its impact on families and mental health.
Gilberto Cruz expressed the opinion at a forum on Wednesday, highlighting that many families, particularly those of overseas Filipino workers, have approached him about relatives falling into gambling addiction.
He said, “If you have a cellphone, it’s like having your own casino. I think that ban is for me – a total ban – because so many families have been destroyed because of online gambling. I’ve talked to many [overseas Filipino workers’] families complaining about their father or mother being addicted to it.”
Cruz also pledged that the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission would support any ban by providing intelligence to law enforcement agencies, as it did during the recent crackdowns on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.
He added that a mix of Filipino and foreign nationals often ran illegal online gambling operations.
Online gambling in the Philippines is a significant industry, with gross gaming revenue hitting
PHP214.75 billion (US$3.71 billion)1 PHP = 0.0173 USD
2025-07-30Powered by CMG CurrenShift for the first six months of 2025.
However, lawmakers have been considering restrictions recently, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. considering a complete ban.
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