Games

Philippine church wants online gambling banned

BBG News

“You might as well legalize other addictions,” says CBCP president on online gambling.

A Philippine Catholic church is advocating for an absolute prohibition of internet-based gambling once more, asserting that it leads to ethical quandaries and broader societal issues, even though it generates substantial financial gains.

Over the past year, the Philippine administration has been vigorously working to eliminate any issues linked to gambling that may tarnish its image as a morally sound source of income. Notably, officials in Cebu City, Philippines, have put forth a resolution suggesting a ban on online gambling platforms and blocking VPN access through the government network.

The recently proposed idea seems a bit unusual and brings up doubts concerning the legitimacy of internet casinos within the Philippines. Let me clarify the current situation involving the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

“You might as well legalize other addictions,” CBCP president on online gambling

According to the Philippine newspaper Inquirer, the Catholic Church openly expressed its stance that online gambling should be completely prohibited within the nation’s borders.

At the Philippine Conference on New Evangelization held in Manila, Cardinal Pablo Virgilo David, head of the CBCP, extensively discussed the harmful impact of internet gaming on young people, likening it to a form of contemporary bondage or “modern-day slavery.

Cardinal David discussed how Pagcor defended online gambling and its significant income, in response to the CBCP’s July 7 pastoral letter. He elaborated on the measures Pagcor took in this defense.

According to a report by Pagcor, the Philippine government rakes in more than 100 billion pesos through online gambling, an impressive figure. Moreover, the casino and gaming industry offers employment to approximately 32,000 individuals directly.

Despite the impact of internet gambling on the nation, David maintained an unruffled demeanor. His stance was expressed as, “Why not just make crystal meth legal? This would enable the government to continue earning revenues. It’s about regulating and taxing all other sources of addiction for Filipinos.

Beyond his initial remarks, the head of the CBCP delved deeper into the topic, explaining how accumulated gambling debts can potentially strain and even break family bonds.

What’s the number of families that have fallen apart due to gambling-related debt, and how many young individuals spend excessive amounts of time online, seeking approval through likes and shares, potentially neglecting real-life presence and social interaction skills? It affects us all,” he pointed out.

The Philippine administration is implementing strategies to regulate and secure online gambling activities. For instance, they’ve created a PAGCOR portal, which gives users easy access to legally-operated casinos. Additionally, they’ve lowered the GGN tax in an attempt to promote the legality of such activities.

In this digital era, David posits that stricter enforcement won’t necessarily stop young people from engaging in online gambling. He questions, “Can we truly regulate how digital natives interact with online applications? I’m unsure if such control is feasible,” he stated conclusively.

Despite not speaking directly on the matter thus far, the Malacañang Palace is currently scrutinizing all aspects related to online gambling.

It’s worth noting that according to a survey conducted by The Fourth Wall, as mentioned in the Inquirer, approximately 3 out of every 4 online gamblers feel that a ban would not deter them from participating, but rather might push them towards using unregulated and illicit gambling websites and operators instead.

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2025-07-23 21:10

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