Ask ChatGPT
Legal online gaming in the Philippines provides over 50,000 jobs and billions of pesos in government funds. According to operators, many Filipinos could lose their livelihoods if it is completely banned.
In 2024, the government's revenue from legal online gaming reached P112 billion. This includes P16.6 billion for PhilHealth, P46.32 billion for the national treasury, and P12.37 billion for civic projects from the Office of the President.
According to Tonet Quiogue, CEO of Arden Consult, the problem is not legal operators but illegal and unregulated gambling. He said licensed gaming platforms have strict security such as KYC, age check, self-ban features, and real-time monitoring.
If legal online gaming is banned, the black market could grow and the government lose control over the activity. It would also lose player protection and tax revenue.
In other countries such as Colombia, Argentina, Sweden and Singapore, illegal gambling has decreased after implementing sound regulation. This shows that regulation, not ban, is the more effective solution.
