By Kent Alistair Gerona
The Philippines faces a growing crisis overlooked in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent public speeches: online gambling addiction among the youth. In urban centers like Metro Manila, accessible betting platforms are ensnaring young Filipinos, risking financial stability and academic futures. Immediate policy action is needed to confront this silent epidemic.
Online gambling — from the banned e-sabong to still-operational offshore betting apps — has surged in recent years. According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), electronic gaming (e-games and e-bingo) generated P48.79 billion in 2024, accounting for 50.03 percent of its gaming revenue. Pagcor’s total gross gambling revenue reached P410 billion in 2024, with e-gaming as a leading contributor, up from P79 billion in gross income in 2023. These platforms, often lightly regulated, exploit young users through aggressive advertisements on social media, capitalizing on widespread smartphone use across Luzon and other urban regions.
A 2023 survey by Capstone-Intel found that 66 percent of Filipinos aged 18–24 engage in online gambling, with many betting multiple times a week. Reports indicate college students are particularly vulnerable, with some neglecting academic responsibilities or borrowing money to sustain their habits. Anecdotal cases, such as a student stealing a parent’s credit card to gamble, highlight the financial desperation tied to addiction.
The consequences are stark in low-income barangays, where families suffer as young members lose scarce resources to gambling. Mental health risks, including anxiety, stress, and depression, are linked to online gambling addiction. While specific studies on Filipino youth are limited, global research, such as a 2022 Lancet Psychiatry article, confirms a strong correlation between gambling and mental health issues, a pattern echoed in local reports of family strain and psychological distress.
Yet, the government offers no nationally funded programs directly addressing youth gambling addiction. Unlike the high-profile anti-drug campaign, the social and psychological harms of online gambling remain largely unaddressed.
Policy gaps exacerbate the crisis. Pagcor, which serves as both regulator and operator, faces criticism for prioritizing revenue over protective measures. Although e-sabong was banned in 2022 after reports of disappearances linked to gambling debts, offshore platforms continue to operate, with 1,954 of 7,747 illegal sites still active in 2024 despite Pagcor’s efforts to block them. Lawmakers have yet to enact a comprehensive strategy to shield youth from digital gambling exposure, despite rising public concern on platforms like X, where figures like Sen. Risa Hontiveros advocate for stricter regulations.
The government must act decisively. Strengthening online gambling regulations — through robust age verification, advertising restrictions and platform accountability — is critical. Pagcor’s recent orders to remove gambling ads by Aug. 15, 2025, and partnerships with e-wallets like GCash for age checks are steps forward, but enforcement remains weak. Schools should launch awareness campaigns to educate students about gambling’s dangers. Redirecting a portion of Pagcor’s e-gaming revenue toward youth mental health and counseling initiatives could mitigate long-term harm.