Marcos to study regulating online gambling promotions done by social media influencers
Regulating social media influencers from promoting online gambling must be studied carefully before the administration takes action about it, Malacañang said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks during a press conference at the Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur following the 46th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, May 27, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said it must be studied first as such move might violate the freedom of expression.
“Pag-aaralan po iyan dahil baka sabihin naman nila freedom of expression na naman ang sinasawata natin diyan (That will be studied as well, because some might argue that we’re once again infringing on freedom of expression),” Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, July 8.
“So, pag-aaralan po lahat iyan at mabigyan nang tamang direksiyon at judgment on that matter (So, all of that will be carefully examined in order to provide proper direction and judgment on the matter),” Castro added.
She made the statement when asked if the Executive department, especially the agencies involved, can do anything to regulate social media influencers who promote online gambling.
The Palace official reiterated that the President sympathizes with families who are victimized by this kind of gambling, especially when a member of the household becomes addicted to it.
She said the President is also looking into the proposal to increase taxes on online gambling operators to ensure that the government has a better policy when it comes to online gambling.
On Monday, Castro said Marcos will not oppose any measure seeking to address gambling addiction among Filipinos, including the imposition of new tax on online gambling operators.