Philippine President Marcos mum about online gambling ban

Summary

President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr made no mention of online gambling in his 2025 State of the Nation Address, despite recent calls for a full ban and new bills filed in Congress. Lawmakers introduced two competing measures on 7 July: House Bill 1351, which would tighten regulation, tax iGaming revenue and restrict advertising and payment methods; and Senate Bill 142, which proposes a complete ban on digital gambling platforms. The industry generated PHP154.51 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2024, up 165% year-on-year, and key figures are divided between regulation and prohibition.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and several operators favour regulation and safeguards, while Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri backs a ban citing social harm. Casino operators operating both land and online arms (Solaire, Newport and Okada) argue prohibition would remove protections. Legal commentators say the president’s silence may be deliberate restraint, reflecting the complexity and economic stakes of any decision.

Source

Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/gaming/philippines-president-marcos-mum-online-gambling-ban/

Key Points

• Marcos made no statement on online gambling in his 2025 State of the Nation Address.
• Two bills filed on 7 July: House Bill 1351 (regulation, 10% tax, ad and payment limits) and Senate Bill 142 (total ban).
• The iGaming sector reported PHP154.51 billion GGR in 2024, a 165% increase year-on-year.
• Some lawmakers, including Senator Gatchalian, favour stronger regulation over prohibition and want measures to curb sponsorships and investigate lending apps linked to gambling debt.
• Major casino operators say they comply with regulations and warn prohibition would eliminate safeguards for Filipino players.
• Legal commentators argue the president’s silence signals a cautious approach given economic, legal and social complexities.

Why should I read this?

Quick heads-up: this isn’t just political theatre. If the Philippines moves to ban or heavily regulate online gambling it could reshape a PHP154.51bn market, affect jobs, government revenue and how operators run both online and land-based businesses. Read this if you want to know where lawmakers stand, what the two bills would actually do, and why the president’s silence matters — it could mean a big rethink rather than a snap ban.

Context and relevance

This story sits at the intersection of public policy, social concern and economic interest. It matters to industry watchers, investors and policymakers because any shift — from stricter regulation to a full ban — has implications for revenue, consumer protections, financial crime controls and investor confidence. The president’s measured response suggests further study and debate before any definitive policy is imposed.