Philippines Congress proposes bill to ban online gambling
Proposed bill seeks to ban all forms of online gambling in the Philippines, citing addictive behavior and crime rates.
Philippines Congressperson Rep. Ricardo S. Cruz, Jr. has proposed a bill that would ban all forms of online gambling in the country.
House Bill 7689 would impose penalties of up to six months in prison or a fine of PHP500,000 for anyone who places a wager online. Additionally, corporate entities and public officials who participate in or promote online gambling could face severe consequences.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, responsible for overseeing online gambling, has reported a daily earning of approximately PHP9 million from licensed gambling entities.
Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian has also urged local governments to prohibit Philippine offshore gaming operators to shield them from criminal activity, citing the social costs of these primarily Chinese-based online gambling operators outweighing the benefits.