Philippine President Marcos mum about online gambling ban
Summary
Philippine President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr made no mention of a ban on online gambling in his 2025 State of the Nation Address, despite growing calls from lawmakers and public figures to either tighten regulation or prohibit iGaming entirely. Two bills were recently filed: House Bill 1351 proposing taxation and tighter controls, and Senate Bill 142 seeking a full ban. The industry reported PHP154.51 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2024, and key stakeholders — including senators, casino operators and legal experts — remain divided on whether regulation or prohibition is the right course. A legal op-ed viewed the president’s silence as deliberate restraint to allow more study before decisive action.
Source
Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/gaming/philippines-president-marcos-mum-online-gambling-ban/
Key Points
- • President Marcos did not address online gambling in his 2025 State of the Nation Address, despite previous moves against POGOs in 2024.
- • Two bills were filed in July 2025: HB1351 (tighter regulation, 10% tax and consumer protections) and SB142 (complete ban on digital gambling platforms).
- • The online gambling sector generated PHP154.51 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2024, a 165% year-on-year increase.
- • Some senators, such as Sherwin Gatchalian, favour strong regulation and safeguards rather than an outright ban.
- • Major casino operators stress compliance and responsible gaming tools, warning that prohibition could remove existing safeguards.
- • A legal opinion argued Marcos’ silence reflects prudent leadership, allowing more data-driven analysis before risking investor confidence and legal stability.
Content summary
The article outlines the context around calls to ban online gambling in the Philippines and describes reactions to President Marcos’ silence. It summarises the two recent legislative proposals: one focused on taxation and consumer protections, the other seeking total prohibition. The piece balances perspectives from lawmakers pushing for prohibition, senators preferring regulation, casino operators defending compliance measures and a lawyer who says restraint is a wise executive choice given the economic and legal stakes.
Context and relevance
Why this matters: online gambling is now a sizeable revenue stream for the Philippines and has prompted concern over social harm, debt and underage access. The government’s response will affect tax receipts, investor confidence and regulatory precedent in the region. The story sits at the intersection of public health, political decision-making and economic policy — relevant for regulators, operators, investors and advocates monitoring how countries balance revenue with social risk.
Why should I read this?
If you want the quick version: Marcos didn’t commit. If you’re tracking regulatory risk or market outlook in the Philippines, that silence is news — it keeps the industry’s future uncertain and signals policymakers may favour more study over a snap ban. We skimmed the detail so you don’t have to, and flagged the bills, the revenue numbers and the key voices you need to watch.
Article meta
Article Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2025 16:15:09 +0000
Author: Marjorie Preston
Source
Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/gaming/philippines-president-marcos-mum-online-gambling-ban/