Photo credit: Senate PH

As online gambling gains wider reach — and raises deeper concerns — the Senate has begun tackling its far-reaching social consequences. In a public hearing on Thursday, August 14, 2025, lawmakers discussed a range of proposed measures, from tighter regulation to a complete nationwide ban.

At the forefront of the discussion was Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who called for immediate action from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to remove online gambling links from e-wallet platforms. “Take down the online gambling links in e-wallets — not in 48 hours, not next week, not next month, but right NOW!” he urged. “Every hour that passes, a life is being destroyed.”

Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions, and Currencies, stressed that swift intervention is crucial to prevent further harm, especially among vulnerable individuals who can easily access gambling sites through digital payment channels.

Other senators echoed the need for decisive action, noting that while online gambling brings in revenue, it also fuels debt, addiction, and social instability. The ongoing deliberations aim to strike a balance between economic interests and protecting public welfare — a debate that could reshape the country’s digital gaming landscape in the months ahead.