Philippines Senate committee vows to investigate online gambling ban
The Philippines Senate committee on games and amusement has said that it will launch an investigation next week into the growing prevalence of online gambling in the country, with lawmakers evaluating the possibility of a nationwide ban.
Addressing a plenary session on 30 July, chairperson of the committee Senator Erwin Tulfo said, “I welcome the privilege speech of Sen. Zubiri concerning the prohibition on online gambling and manifest my full support. Once the membership of the committee has been settled, we will conduct hearings to hear all sides.”
The hearing, which is set for either 4 August or 5 August, will involve the Philippines’ gambling regulator PAGCOR, the Department of Finance, and representatives from youth, parent, school, and church organizations.
Tulfo said the committee would require agencies to present a cost-benefit analysis, including unavoidable revenues from unregulated operations, the economic impact of a ban, and its implications for employment, alongside assessing the social costs of gambling.
He added that the committee aims to develop a combined position before recommending further actions to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., such as the issuance of an executive order banning online gambling.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano also asked education agencies like the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Department of Education to publicly state that the government should not prioritize gambling revenues over the welfare of Filipino youth.
Juan Miguel Zubiri, Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros, and a few other senators have earlier filed measures seeking a total ban on online gambling.
Dig deeper
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2025/07/08: DFNN urges Philippines to employ “proportionality and precision” in online gambling restrictions
Charlotte Capewell brings her passion for storytelling and expertise in writing, researching, and the gambling industry to every article she writes. Her specialties include the US gambling industry, regulator legislation, igaming, and more.
