Philippines: No Immediate Action on Online Gambling Says Marcos Office

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. isn’t rushing into any decisions about the future of licensed domestic online gambling, according to recent remarks from his spokesperson Claire Castro. During a media briefing, she emphasized that the President “cannot act in haste” when it comes to shaping gambling policy.

Good to know

• Some Philippine lawmakers are split between stricter regulation and a total ban.
• Online gambling operators contribute revenue that supports public services.
• The President avoided the topic during his July 28 state of the nation address.

Castro pointed out that the issue needs to be carefully reviewed, adding, “It [online gambling] should be studied because in reality, the revenues provided by the licensees of online gambling provide assistance to the citizens.”

Her comments were covered by the Philippine News Agency and come amid ongoing debate. While some members of Congress are pushing for a crackdown or outright ban, others believe regulation should be improved rather than dismantling the industry altogether.

Expectations were high that President Marcos would address the future of online gambling during his state of the nation address on July 28. When the topic didn’t come up, some lawmakers expressed frustration, noting the growing importance of the issue and the pressure to take a stance.

For now, it seems the administration is keeping its options open. Any decision on regulation or a potential ban will likely follow a more detailed review of how online gambling impacts the economy and broader society.

On Friday we reported that Senator Erwin Tulfo is preparing to lead Senate hearings on online gambling in the week ahead.

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