Philippines to Launch Probe into the Adverse Effects of iGaming

As lawmakers in the Philippines continue to mull over a potential ban on online gambling, the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement unveiled a probe into the industry’s negative impact. This inquiry will determine the outcome of several bills that could change the future of the sector.

Philippine Online Gambling Could Be in Trouble

The Philippines has had gripes with online gambling for some time due to the negative impact on society and the crime that is sometimes associated with the digital casino sector. Such concerns led to the eventual dismantling of the country’s Philippine Offshore Gambling Operator (POGO) system that had been in place for two decades.

Unfortunately, shutting down all POGOs turned out to be easier said than done. Some operators continued to offer gambling, necessitating further intervention.

At the same time, online gambling as a whole continued to spread and exert a negative effect on the Philippine population. As a result, some lawmakers came to the conclusion that stopping online gambling as a whole would be the only way to truly protect the people.

While no conclusion has been reached yet, the possibility of a ban has continued to loom over the sector.

The Philippines Will Investigate the Damage Caused by iGaming

The latest development saw the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement announce an inquiry into the effect of online gambling to determine the true extent of iGaming’s impact.  

Senator Ewin Tulfo said that starting Thursday, the Philippines will start discussing the various pending bills proposing stringent regulations or an outright ban. Tulfo called the iGaming situation a crisis and underscored the importance of considering the various proposals for reining in the online casino industry.

In any case, Tulfo emphasized that the future of the Philippine youth is more important than the money operators earn and contribute to the economy.

This comes as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who has been largely reluctant to weigh in on the debate, agreed to discuss the matter with a variety of sectors, including religious bodies such as the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

With pressures growing, operators have recognized the importance of safer gambling. As a result, 19 licensed companies joined forces to create the PlaySafe Alliance, which will champion safer gambling and tackle illegal games of chance.