It is estimated that 32 million Filipinos, or about half of the country's adult population, gamble online.
A prominent media organization is advocating for regulation reform due to the ongoing rise in online betting since the COVID-19 pandemic and the Philippine government's apparent goal to making as much money from gambling as possible.
In the Philippines, the Manila Bulletin is the most widely read and distributed English-language daily. It is the second-oldest English newspaper in the Far East, having been established in 1900.
Because the privately held media corporation has avoided government meddling, the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism has regularly listed the Manila Bulletin as one of Southeast Asia's most reliable news outlets. Because of this, legislators and activists looking for change on a range of problems frequently refer to its editorial page.
The most recent opinion piece discusses the ongoing growth of online casino gambling.
Growing Industry, Growing Damage
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) oversees online gaming websites and applications in the country. The government body claims that over 80 licensed iGaming platforms provide residents of the nation with 24/7 casino gaming.
These online gaming establishments brought in PHP41.94 billion, or more than $729.6 million, in gross gaming revenue during the third quarter of 2025. Revenue from online casinos was close to $821.7 million in Q1 2025 and over $1 billion in Q2.
The expansion of internet casinos has been remarkable.
Online casinos made only $116.6 million in GGR in 2021. In 2022, revenue reached $176 million; in 2023, it reached $576.9 million; and in 2024, it reached almost $2.3 billion. iGaming has won more than $2.5 billion through the first three quarters of 2025.
“The social costs are profound. Families see savings meant for food, rent, or tuition vanish. Workplaces suffer as employees borrow money or struggle with mounting obligations. Mental health deteriorates under the weight of shame and financial stress,” wrote the Manila Bulletin Editorial Board.
“For low-income households, the illusion of a life-changing win can entrench cycles of poverty rather than break them. Filipinos must understand that online gambling apps are not harmless games. They are designed to maximize engagement and spending. Responsible gaming slogans are not enough in an environment engineered for impulse,” the piece continued.
In its conclusion, the opinion piece advocated for a "stronger," more "sustained" public awareness effort.
“Digital literacy must now include gambling literacy. The stakes are no longer confined to gaming tables. They are embedded in everyday life,” the piece ended.
Philippines' Earnings
As of 2023, the average household income in the Philippines was roughly PHP353,230 (US$6,144). Nonetheless, there is a substantial income gap, with the National Capital Region's richer top earners making an average of more than $8,900.
Then there are the oligarchs, a select group of powerful, affluent families with strong connections to the government and its state-run organizations.
Those with sizable gaming and casino investments are among the wealthiest magnates in the Philippines. These include Andrew Tan, whose Travellers International Hotel owns Newport World Resorts, and Enrique Razon Jr., whose Bloomberry Resorts owns the two casinos in Solaire.