Noting the alarming number of young children that are now exposed to online gambling, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III urged the government to also ban Philippine inland gaming operator (PIGO) licenses or that are commonly known to be local e-gambling businesses.
Pimentel said he supports such proposals to ban PIGO, alongside POGOs, to prevent children from being exposed to gambling.
“Online gambling has become so accessible that even e-wallet platforms, which are widely used for digital transactions, provide easy access to gambling sites,” Pimentel said.
“Napakadali na ngayon para sa kahit sino, kahit mga bata, na makapasok sa online gambling. Sa e-wallets lang, may access na agad. Wala na tayong kontrol kung sino ang nakakapaglaro (It’s so easy, even children, to have access to online gambling. Even with e-wallets, one can easily have immediate access. We no longer have any control on who can play),” the senator lamented.
Pimentel said this raises serious concerns, particularly for children. If left unchecked, it can result to addiction, academic neglect and even financial exploitation among young Filipinos.
“Hindi natin pwedeng hayaang malulong ang ating mga kabataan sa online gambling tulad ng online casino betting na hindi lang nakakasira sa kanilang kinabukasan kundi nagpapalala rin sa problema ng pagsusugal at mental health,” he added.
Likewise, he urged parents to be vigilant and monitor their children’s online activities to prevent them from falling into the trap.
The lawmaker also called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to continuously remind students about the dangers of online gambling and to intensify its awareness campaign in schools.
“Dapat maging proactive ang DepEd sa pagpapaalala sa mga estudyante na delikado ito (The DepEd should be proactive in reminding students that this is risky),” Pimentel said.
“Hindi ito laro lang, kundi isang patibong na maaaring makaapekto sa kanilang kinabukasan (This is not just a game, but a trap that could affect their future),” the senator warned.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had imposed an immediate ban on offshore and internet gaming in the country, through Executive Order No. 74 in a bid to stop Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) operating in the country.
But despite the ban, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) admitted that illegal gambling networks still persists.
During a recent hearing on POGOs, Sen. Risa Hontiveros raised concerns over reports on PIGOs and questioned whether former POGO operators are now shifting to PIGO licenses.
PIGOs, which include casinos and online games, also offer the same types of gambling activities that are offered by POGOs, but the clients are Filipinos.
PAGCOR said it is now strengthening responsible gaming programs to ensure that PIGOs won’t replicate POGO-related activities.