Arya News - An adverse effect is “habit forming,” which affects one’s behaviour, says the country`s health secretary, while expressing his support for proposals seeking for a ban or strict regulation of online gambling.
MANILA – Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has expressed his support for proposals seeking to either ban or strictly regulate online gambling , as he pointed out that addiction to it is a mental health issue.
Herbosa said an adverse effect of gambling is “habit forming,” which affects one’s behavior.
“Addiction to gambling is a mental health problem, so nakita niyo na marami pamilya na lulong sa gambling kasi it’s very accessible (You can see that many families are addicted to gambling) because it’s very accessible,” Herbosa said in an ambush interview during a forum in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on Wednesday.
“So I agree with both, either you want to ban it, that’s fine with me, or you want to regulate it,” he added.
Earlier this month, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri filed a bill seeking an outright ban on online gambling in the country, calling it a “silent epidemic” that is quietly harming Filipinos, especially minors and the most vulnerable.
Under Zubiri’s proposed measure, the Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025, all forms of online gambling in the country will be prohibited.
This includes digital betting platforms, mobile applications, and websites that allow users to place wagers through phones, tablets, and computers.
Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Garchalian filed a bill seeking to impose stricter regulations against online gambling last July 1.
The proposed measure bans gambling sponsorships of public events and campaign donations, and requires regulators to allocate a portion of collected regulatory fees to set up gambling addiction rehabilitation centers.
It also sets a minimum cash-in requirement that prohibits the use of e-wallets to discourage impulsive and easy access to gambling platforms and raises the minimum age of players from 18 to 21.
For its part, the advocacy group CitizensWatch Philippines called for the strengthened regulation of online gambling instead of its total ban.
The group pointed out that a “blanket ban” would likely drive the industry underground, stripping regulators of oversight and leaving users vulnerable to illegal and often predatory offshore operators outside of the country’s jurisdiction.
According to the group, the legal online gaming industry has become a vital source of public funding, generating P50 billion in revenue in 2024, half of which supported universal health care, grassroots sports development, and drug rehabilitation programs.
It claimed that eliminating this industry could remove up to P100 billion in projected earnings of the country in the coming year.