JV Ejercito files resolution seeking senate probe on Online Gambling and Lending in PH
July 08, 2025
Senator JV Ejercito has filed on Tuesday a resolution directing the appropriate committee in the Senate to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the rapid proliferation of online gambling in the Philippines.
In a resolution, Ejercito noted that online gambling has become a widespread activity among Filipinos particularly minimum wage earners, OFWs, and even minors due to its accessibility through smartphones and integration into e-wallet applications.
“There is undeniably a whole gambling ecosystem thriving online. Mobile phones have become more than a one-stop-shop but a haven for online gamblers or player-bettors far from the reach of their concerned families and friends,” Ejercito said in a resolution.
“Sadly, what appeared to be a harmless way to kill time or occasionally have fun has damaged not only the financial wellbeing of some Filipinos, but also their relationship with their families,” he added.
Ejercito cited the “convenience” that e-wallets and digital financial services that may have contributed to the seemingly widespread addiction of many Filipinos to online gambling.
“Online lending companies that offer their services online, whether as a category within an e-wallet mobile phone application or as an app on its own, provide not only financial aid to the poor in need of assistance but also capital to those who are addicted to online gambling.”
He believes that the government exercising the principle of “parens patriae” should establish ways to protect vulnerable Filipinos, especially the poor and youth, from the false promises of instant wealth and easy money.
“Betting on the [online] games readily available on the mobile e-wallet application have been very attractive to those vulnerable sectors of our societies who are desperately struggling to make ends meet and hoping for an instant way to win money,” the resolution reads.
The lawmaker from San Juan warned that this “silent epidemic” is already damaging families, fueling personal debt, and threatening public morality.
He added that the online gambling is now a bigger threat than POGOs, which primarily affected foreign nationals. While online gambling, in contrast, preys on Filipinos themselves.
“While our government has focused its attention on the solving the undesirable effects of POGOs, silently, a new wave of illness of gambling have infected our nation, slowly destroying the lives of Filipino families.”
He also proposes the launch of a national information campaign to educate the public on the dangers of online gambling.
Ejercito earlier urged the government to act swiftly and tighten regulations on online gambling, warning of its serious social and economic toll on ordinary Filipinos.
