The Marcos administration is still reviewing the broader implications of banning all forms of online gambling, even as public pressure mounts to curb its spread due to growing cases of gambling addiction among Filipinos, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Sunday, as reported by the state-run Philippine News Agency.
In a media interview, Bersamin was asked whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will declare a total ban on online gambling during his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), similar to last year’s address where he ordered a ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
“Well, the policy remains the same… the President is very strong about POGOs—banned na ‘yan,” Bersamin said, reiterating the administration’s firm stance against offshore gambling firms often linked to criminal activities and scams.
He noted, however, that other forms of online gambling not directly tied to scams or fraud are still being reviewed. The government is taking a cautious approach to ensure any regulatory action considers the full implications for the economy and other sectors.
“We are still looking into it because we have to see all the ramifications that gaming of that method may be allowed to operate,” Bersamin said.
