PH needs law regulating gambling advertisements, says group

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A research group is pushing for strict regulation or a complete ban on gambling advertisements in the country.

According to Capstone-Intel Corp. chief executive officer Nicasio Conti, a legislation regulating gambling will protect society from its effects.

He also likened gambling to other vices such as smoking. He said that while smoking affects the body, gambling affects the country’s economy.

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“The economic fallout extends to increased social services and law enforcement costs due to gambling-related crimes,” Conti, a former commissioner of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission, was quoted as saying in a release of the research group.

“The evidence is clear: gambling, like smoking, poses significant risks to our society,” he added.

He also pointed out that if there are laws against the promotion of smoking, then there must also be laws against gambling ads.

“Our society has rightly decided to limit the promotion of smoking to protect public health. We must now apply the same principles to gambling,” he said.

“By regulating gambling advertisements, we can take a critical step towards protecting our citizens, preserving family structures, and maintaining social order. It’s time for our lawmakers to act decisively and put the well-being of our people first,” he added.

The former PAGC official also appealed to the national government to call for “a complete ban” on gambling advertisements.

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“Just as we recognize the devastating health impacts of smoking and imposed strict advertising bans, we must do the same for gambling to protect our society, especially the most vulnerable,” he added.