ONLINE GAMBLING composite image from INQUIRER stock
MANILA, Philippines — Consumer advocacy groups have called for a “smarter and high-tech” approach in disabling illegal gambling operations instead of a total ban.
This, as Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3) and Konsyumer at Mamamayan (KM), feared that an absolute cease on their operations would just push for online gambling operations to do their business underground, which are out of reach of regulators and more vulnerable to abuse.
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Moreover, the groups urged lawmakers to rethink current proposals for a total ban on online gambling and pursue tougher digital regulation backed by governance and control systems.
“People are right to be concerned about the harms tied to gambling,” said Atty. Karry Sison, BK3 Convenor, as quoted in a press release.
“But simply banning something operating in cyberspace will not work, as illegal online gaming sites operating from abroad, beyond our laws, will still be able to spread harmful software and stealing user data,” she also said.
Sison further pointed out that the government has already blocked thousands of illegal gambling sites, yet some continue to resurface using new web addresses and offshore servers.
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“You can shut down one site today, and it’s replaced by another tomorrow. That’s why we need systems that track and stop these operators before they reach our screens,” she said. “This is a cybersecurity issue, and we should treat it as such.”
According to BK3 and KM, unregulated gambling platforms often serve as entry points for fraudulent activities, including human exploitation, as they operate without oversight.
“Banning regulated platforms does not remove the risk—it just shifts it somewhere harder to see and harder to control,” Sison added.
KM Convenor Danilo Lorenzo “Ren” DeLos Santos, meanwhile, underscored the important role digital financial services can play in enforcement, particularly mobile wallets.
“E-wallets are used every day by ordinary Filipinos,” he said.
He also said, “With the right rules in place, they can help detect unusual patterns like frequent betting, underage users, or suspicious accounts. Deploying these tools can give regulators the visibility they need to act fast.” /cb