Online gambling has expanded rapidly in the Philippines, outpacing regulators’ efforts to keep up. Revenues have jumped more than 5,500 per cent in just four years, while wage earners, students, and low-income families have suffered massive losses, with some lives tragically destroyed by online betting.

During a recent hearing on online gambling before the Committee on Games and Amusement, Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri presented figures tracing the surge from the pandemic slump to the current market size, noting that easy access through e-wallets has made betting widely available across the country.

Gross gaming revenues rose from P8 billion in 2022 to P33.16 billion in 2023 and P135.71 billion in 2024, with P106.53 billion already logged in the first half of 2025. Zubiri emphasised that this money largely comes from ordinary Filipino households rather than high rollers.

The Philippines has earned the unenviable title of the gambling capital of Asia, with 79 casinos surpassing Cambodia, Macau, Vietnam, and South Korea in number, he warns. Brick-and-mortar casinos alone already highlight the country’s dominance, and online gambling continues to grow.

Tragic personal stories illustrate the human cost. In Bukidnon, a family lost a son to suicide after he incurred unmanageable online gambling debt. A police corporal reportedly robbed a convenience store at gunpoint to fund his gambling habit, while in La Trinidad, a 22-year-old reportedly took his life over gambling debts.

In Cebu, disputes over winnings reportedly led to multiple murders, highlighting the severe social consequences of the industry.

Zubiri stressed that the ease of online gambling makes it especially harmful. Seamless integration with digital wallets allows repeated betting without leaving home, with fast, convenient transactions that encourage continued play. GCash alone has a user base of about 94 million people, around 81 per cent of the population, with millions accessing loan and credit services that can feed gambling behaviour.

Surveys and rehabilitation data underline the growing problem. A 2023 Capstone-Intel survey found that 64 per cent of respondents engaged in online gambling, and support groups like Bridges of Hope report that seven out of ten clients now seek help for online gambling addiction.

The composition of recovering clients has shifted sharply, with 90 per cent now seeking help for online gambling, compared with 60 per cent two years earlier. The World Health Organisation notes that each high-risk gambler typically affects six other people, creating a ripple effect of harm across families and communities.

The recent hearing brought together agencies, experts, and victims to highlight both the economic value and the social dangers of online gambling in the Philippines. Discussions aimed to reveal the depth of the problem and explore potential solutions to curb its devastating impact on Filipino families.

USA situation

Meanwhile, in the USA, a national survey released in July by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) finds the spike in risky gambling behaviour observed during the COVID-19 pandemic has eased as awareness of the gambling health crisis and access to needed care have expanded.

As gambling-related harm remains widespread, particularly among younger adults, sports bettors, and those who gamble online, active nationwide problem gambling prevention and education outreach is critical.

Key findings from NGAGE 3.0 include:

• High-risk behaviour is concentrated among specific groups:
  ○ 28% of those who gambled on 10+ activities reported problematic behaviour.
  ○ 35% of individuals who gambled on 3+ activities weekly or more often met the threshold for concern.
  ○ 24% of fantasy sports bettors and 17% of traditional sports bettors reported problematic behaviours.
  ○ 15% of adults ages 18–34 reported concerning behaviour, compared to 2% of those 55+.
  ○ 10% of men—nearly double the rate of women—reported gambling-related problems.

24.10.2025.