By: Raro, Mark John F. and Cruz, Shervey Loreta
Gambling has long been part of Filipino culture, from traditional games like sabong and perya. But with the rise of digital platforms like Bingo Plus and Scatter and the integration of e-wallets like GCash, gambling has become more accessible than ever. While PAGCOR regulates some activities, the surge in gambling apps, billboard ads, and influencers promoting these platforms has made online gambling widespread and dangerously normalized.
Online gambling now appears everywhere, from billboards and TV ads to spam messages and influencer posts. On July 1, 2025, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian filed a bill to impose stricter rules. The proposal includes a P10,000 minimum cash-in, bans the use of GCash for gambling, raises the legal gambling age from 18 to 21, and prohibits gambling sponsorships in public events and political campaigns. It also requires a portion of regulatory fees to fund rehabilitation programs.
A social media scan by Capstone-Intel Corporation tracked Facebook activity around online gambling from May 26 to June 26, 2025. There were 243 posts from public pages using terms like “ONLINE GAMBLING,” “BINGO,” “SCATTER,” “PAGCOR,” “BAN,” “PROMOTE,” “GAMING,” and “KABATAAN.”
The monitoring was limited to Facebook posts in the Philippines and generated the following:
Among these, “BINGO” had the highest engagement, with a score of 110,948.90. It also received the most emotive reactions, particularly the “Sad” emoji, used 144,947 times out of 225,443 total. Bingo, once a community game played at fiestas or wakes, is now a leading form of online gambling.
“SCATTER” ranked second with an engagement score of 4,186.7. Posts about Scatter drew significant negative reactions, often linked to addiction or regulatory issues. One notable post by Radyo Todo Aklan discussed possible PAGCOR restrictions, highlighting growing concern. In a recent press briefing, Sen. Gatchalian stated, “Many families have had their futures destroyed because of online gambling, which are made easier by e-wallets … for instance, Scatter.”
“PAGCOR” ranked third, followed by “BAN” and “PROMOTE.” Notably, the most shared post referencing all three came again from Radyo Todo Aklan, quoting Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro that families may ban loved ones addicted to Scatter. This post gained traction as it touched on both regulatory action and family-level intervention, which likely contributed to the volume of reactions and shares.
The emotional tone of online discussions reveals deep concern, especially around Bingo. One viral Facebook post by BecomingFilipino (June 11, 2025) told the story of a jeepney driver who lost money to Bingo Plus, topping up with GCash at every stop. The post received over 195,098 reactions, most of them “Sad,” sparking debate on the spread of online gambling. It illustrated how traditional pastimes have become digital addictions, with little resistance or safeguards.
Mentions of “KABATAAN” (youth) underscore public worry about minors gambling online. Weak age verification makes it easy for young people to access these platforms, raising serious ethical and legal concerns.
This scan points to an urgent need for regulation, similar to advertising restrictions on tobacco. Unlike tobacco products, gambling ads have no warnings or disclaimers. They’re visible everywhere: on social media, highway billboards, TV shows, and gaming apps. Celebrity endorsements further normalize gambling, making it seem as harmless as playing a mobile game.
Gambling ads often promote the promise of easy money, especially tempting during hard times. A 2023 Capstone-Intel study found that among those aware of online betting, 64% had tried it. Of those, 37% did it for the experience, while 33% hoped to win big. Without stronger regulations or public warnings, the risks of addiction and financial loss remain high.
Given the risks, government action is urgently needed not just to regulate advertising but to hold stakeholders accountable. Payment apps must improve KYC protocols, enforce e-wallet restrictions, and implement biometric verification to protect users, especially the most vulnerable.
