Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr was silent on the issue of domestic online gambling in his state of the nation address (pictured) on Monday. In a speech that spanned many topics, the country’s leader said nothing on the issue of whether to ban domestic online gambling, though he has already pledged to consider it.
His decision not to mention the topic in his speech came amid reports in recent weeks that the country’s government could introduce stricter policies regarding access to digital gambling platforms, and discussion of a possible taxation move by national authorities.
A Friday memo from Maybank Securities Inc had mentioned that Monday’s presidential state of the nation address might clarify whether the Philippines would pursue tighter regulation of its online gambling sector or an outright ban.
In a presidential speech in July last year, Mr Marcos had announced that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators – a licence classification that had been issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) – would have to wind up operations by the end of that year.
Commenting on Mr Marcos’s decision not feature the topic of domestic online gambling in his Monday speech, Marie Antonette “Tonet” Quiogue, a gaming law expert and chief executive of Metro Manila-based Arden Consult, said it “was not a missed opportunity”.
“It was a conscious choice to avoid a knee-jerk policy that could create more problems than it solves,” she added.
It was reported earlier this month that President Marcos was studying calls by some lawmakers for an outright ban.
“Amid calls for a total ban from some legislators and sectors, the President’s silence signaled a refusal to be rushed into a decision on a complex issue that demands more data, deeper study, and a holistic understanding,” Ms Quiogue wrote in an opinion article published via social media following the state of the nation address.
“And in this case, restraint is leadership,” she said.
Ms Quiogue noted that, in the case of online gambling, “what we are dealing with is a legitimate, licensed domestic industry regulated by Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp) – one that contributes billions to the national treasury, funds universal healthcare, and employs thousands.
“If a sitting president can suddenly announce that a lawful, revenue-generating industry can simply be banned, the implications on investor confidence, economic stability, and the rule of law would be profound,” she added.
Ms Quiogue stated the Philippine legislators must now “lead the next phase of the conversation – one grounded in data, international experience, and stakeholder consultation.”
She added: “Now, the real gamble is whether we can deliver on the promise of regulation – reducing the harms while preserving the benefits.”
