President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will not make a hasty decision on the fate of online gambling in the country and will give due consideration to stakeholders’ suggestions, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
At a press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro underscored the importance of conducting a comprehensive study and consultations with various stakeholders before implementing any significant policy changes.
“Maliwanag ang sinabi ng Pangulo diyan. Sa kanyang opinyon, dapat aralin at hindi dapat magpadalos-dalos ng kilos dahil kailangan madinig natin lahat ang mga stakeholders at mga concerned parties patungkol dito,” Castro said.
In a podcast interview last week, President Marcos announced that he plans to create a body that will formulate the government’s policy on online gambling. The panel will include key stakeholders such as representatives from the Catholic Church.
Castro assured that the President will hold a dialogue with stakeholders as soon as his schedule permits.
Castro likewise acknowledged the urgency of the matter amid the ongoing budget preparations for 2026, considering the country’s heavy reliance on e-gaming revenues to fund vital social programs.
Asked whether the President is leaning toward regulation rather than an outright ban following his recent remarks, Castro said there is no final decision yet, and the President still needs to listen to the opinion of the stakeholders first.
President Marcos earlier said a total ban would only push gambling activities underground, making it harder for the government to monitor and control them.
Castro reiterated the President’s sentiment that the real problem is not online gambling itself, but the social impacts tied to it, including addiction, especially among young people, which should be addressed promptly.
“Ang sabi nga niya hindi naman ‘yung paglalaro o ‘yung sugal mismo or online gaming ang nagiging problema kung hindi ‘yung pagiging addicted to gambling at iyon dapat ang umpisahan na masolusyonan,” said Castro. | PND
