Philippine President Marcos Plans Stakeholder Talks on Online Gambling Policy

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has emphasized the need to carefully formulate a policy on online gambling, warning that a total ban could drive the industry underground, making regulation and control impossible. He has initiated a conference involving various stakeholders, including the Catholic Church, parents, and government regulators, to address the social harms linked to online gambling, particularly its impact on youth addiction and debt. Marcos differentiated online gambling from Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), noting that while POGOs were associated with illegal activities like human trafficking and scams, the primary concern with online gambling is its social effects on vulnerable populations. Several lawmakers have called for stricter regulation or a ban due to rising addiction, but the President stressed that the problem lies in the social consequences rather than the gambling itself. The government aims to develop a balanced approach that protects young people and addresses addiction without pushing the activity into unregulated spaces. Marcos' efforts reflect a cautious and consultative process to ensure effective policy-making on this issue.