As the Philippine legislature accelerates the push for a comprehensive ban on online gambling, industry turmoil continues to intensify.
Alex Czajkowski, a seasoned gambling consultant and CEO of Players Today, recently warned that a total ban on online gambling would be a "fatal mistake," not only undermining investor confidence but also potentially driving the industry underground. He advocates for a stricter and smarter regulatory framework instead of a total ban, ensuring both player safety and economic benefits.
Czajkowski pointed out that PAGCOR generates over 100 billion pesos annually from online gambling operations, directly creating 32,000 jobs and involving a large number of related industries. He emphasized, "Gambling has long been part of Philippine culture; the issue is not gambling itself, but how to regulate it." He also cited the failed experiences of countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Indonesia as warnings of the risks of bans, stating that "markets driven underground are harder to control."
The Philippine gambling market is still growing, with total revenue in the first quarter of 2025 increasing by 27.44% year-on-year, and electronic games performing strongly. The government is considering strengthening KYC, setting minimum betting amounts, increasing taxes, and restricting advertising, but industry lawyers warn that excessive taxation might backfire.
Czajkowski calls for joint regulation by multiple parties including PAGCOR, operators, payment platforms, and telecommunications companies, to improve age verification and responsible gambling mechanisms. He believes that compared to illegal platforms, the safety and experience offered by legal, licensed sites prove that effective regulation is more competitive than a ban.
