Amidst calls for its tighter regulation or outright ban.
In a statement on Friday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro echoed the stance of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos on online gambling.
According to Castro, the President prefers a careful and deliberate approach on the issue, adding that any decision must be based on a thorough study.
“Dapat pong aralin at hindi po dapat na ora-orada ay mag-uutos agad na tanggalin iyan. Dapat inaaral po iyan. Ganyan po kasi ang gusto ng Pangulo. Inaaral [hindi] magpadalus-dalos sa aksiyon,” said the Press Officer.
The Usec. also appointed out other considerations regarding the matter, such as revenue from licensed platforms that is then being used to fund charities and aid the education sector through gambling operator PAGCOR.
“Kapag nga tinanggal natin agad-agad ang online gambling at maapektuhan naman iyong ibang mga lisensiyado, makakaapekto ba ito sa tulong sa bayan, sa tulong sa mga estudyante, sa tulong sa mga Pilipino?” she furthered.
These statements come after multiple personalities and groups expressed their dismay after the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, July 28.
This, as no concrete solution on the matter was declared by President Marcos in his speech.
However, Malacañang said that PBBM Marcos had already voiced his own dismay on how digitalization has made access to online gambling easier, warning that gambling addiction could destroy families.