Philippines Government urged to be stricter on online gambling advertisements
Former anti-graft official warns of rising addiction and family harm linked to glamorised gaming ads.
Key points:
– Lawyer Nicasio Conti calls for a ban on online gambling ads
– Urges multi-agency action and regulatory overhaul
As reported by Manila Bulletin, former anti-corruption commissioner Nicasio Conti has called on the Philippine Government to expand its ongoing crackdown on illegal online gambling by targeting the advertising campaigns that promote such platforms.
Conti, now Chief Executive of Capstone Intel Corporation, says aggressive digital marketing has helped normalise gambling behaviour among financially vulnerable individuals.
Conti raised concern over how digital content creators are increasingly posting comedic videos about gambling losses, including those tied to popular online platforms such as “online sabong.”
Good to know: Over 7,000 illegal gambling websites have already been taken offline, according to recent Palace reports, but operators continue to adapt by changing domains to evade detection
He further cautioned that the widespread use of e-wallets and online banks for gambling payments makes it difficult to distinguish between legal and harmful transactions, creating a grey area that may also expose users to money laundering risks.
Calling for a unified response, Conti urged lawmakers and agencies to adopt stricter rules similar to those in other jurisdictions where gambling advertising is limited or banned outright.
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