Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa declared gambling addiction a public health concern, as he voiced support for proposed legislation seeking to ban or tightly regulate online gambling in the Philippines.
“Addiction to gambling is a mental health problem. “You can see that many families are affected because it’s very accessible,” Herbosa said during a forum in Taguig City on July 16.
He noted that the rise of mobile gambling apps and betting websites has made gambling more accessible than ever, especially to young people and low-income Filipinos. Herbosa warned that gambling is “habit-forming” and can alter a person’s behavior, often leading to depression, strained relationships, and financial ruin.
RELATED: [‘Online Gambling In PH: More Harm Than Gain?’]
Senate Moves to Curb Digital Gambling
In response to the growing crisis, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri filed the Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025, which seeks to impose a total ban on all forms of online gambling. He described it as a “silent epidemic” that is quietly destroying Filipino families.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also filed a bill proposing stricter regulation. His measure aims to raise the legal gambling age from 18 to 21, restrict e-wallet use, and ban gambling sponsorships in public events and political campaigns. It also calls for the creation of rehabilitation centers for gambling addiction, to be funded by regulatory fees.
Online Lending Apps Under Scrutiny
Lawmakers are also targeting online lending apps, which are often used to fund gambling. These platforms, many of which operate with minimal oversight, have been linked to harassment, rising debt, and mental health issues.
Senators are calling for tighter regulation or even a ban on predatory digital lending services, citing their role in worsening gambling addiction and exploiting vulnerable individuals.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who is pushing for the Kontra E-Sugal Act, said the country needs to act urgently. “Phones are not casinos,” she said in a recent statement. “We need to protect Filipinos from this growing threat.”
RELATED: [‘Phones Are Not Casinos’: Hontiveros Pushes ‘Kontra E-Sugal Act’]
