Senator Risa Hontiveros answers queries from the members of the Senate media during the Kapihan sa Senado forum in this file photo taken on May 21, 2025 at the Senate building in Pasay City. INQUIRER.net file / NOY MORCOSO
MANILA, Philippines — Another senator has filed a bill seeking to ban online gambling access in e-wallets and super apps in light of the growing calls for tighter regulations on games, which have “become dangerous gateways to addiction for many Filipinos.”
Hontiveros’ unnumbered bill is among her 20 top priority measures for the 20th Congress. In a statement on Tuesday, the opposition lawmaker said it has become easier to be addicted to gambling because it’s now accessible through e-wallets and super apps.
READ: Marcos heeding clamor against online gambling
“Many Filipinos are burdened with debt because of online gambling, which was made easier by e-wallets. For some, life has been the equivalent of such,” said Hontiveros in Filipino.
In her measure, Hontiveros specifically wants all individuals aged below 21 to be banned from online gambling platforms, also prohibiting the advertisement of online gambling in public spaces, tri-media, and social media.
“Let us also put an end to many billboards, commercials, and social media ads [that] encourage gambling. It’s like we’re encouraging our people to be in debt. This vice needs not to encourage anyone to be in debt,” Hontiveros said mostly in Filipino.
The bill also mandates the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to set daily, weekly, and monthly betting and loss limits, which, when reached, will trigger the suspension of gaming accounts for a minimum of 30 days.
“Because there are no limitations in gambling, what’s happening is that some do it until they no longer have money. This results to unli-debt and unli-problems, that’s why we need to set a limit to where we spend,” Hontiveros said in Filipino.
(Because there are no limitations in gambling, what’s happening is that some do it until they no longer have money. This results to unli-debt and unli-problems, that’s why we need to set a limit to where we spend.)
Apart from these, Hontiveros’ measure also seeks a minimum 10% tax on gross online gambling revenues to fund the treatment and rehabilitation of gambling addiction, public education campaigns against gambling, monitoring and enforcement programs, and research and policy evaluation.
READ: Senators push laws vs online gambling
“Let us help our people get past this and ensure that no more will be addicted to online gambling. One life lost to gambling is one too many,” Hontiveros said in a mix of Filipino and English.
A counterpart measure in the House of Representatives was also filed Monday by Akbayan Reps. Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, Dadah Kiram Ismula, and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.
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Meanwhile, the Palace earlier said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been following the situation of these Filipinos who have become addicted to online gambling. /jpv/abc
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