Senator Risa Hontiveros is pushing for stricter regulation on online gambling through Senate Bill 2593, or the proposed “Kontra E-Sugal Act.” The measure aims to curb the growing influence of gambling apps and websites, especially among the youth, by mandating digital platforms to block access to unregistered e-gambling operations.
Hontiveros emphasized that mobile phones are not meant to serve as virtual casinos, warning of the addictive and harmful consequences of unrestricted access to gambling platforms. With digital gambling reaching Filipinos of all ages, the bill seeks to provide the government with stronger tools to combat illegal operators and protect vulnerable users.
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A Direct Response to Rising Online Gambling Access
If passed, the Kontra E-Sugal Act will compel internet service providers, app stores, and social media platforms to restrict access to gambling apps and sites that are not registered or regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) or other authorized bodies. This move responds to growing concerns about how minors can easily engage in digital gambling using mobile phones or gaming platforms.
“Phones are not casinos. Online games are becoming more accessible and more addictive, and sadly, children are becoming victims,” Hontiveros stated during the bill’s filing.
She stressed that unlike physical casinos, which are monitored and restricted, mobile gambling bypasses key safeguards. The bill also proposes penalties for those who facilitate or fail to block illegal online gambling.
Protecting Youth from Addiction
Hontiveros also raised alarm about the psychological toll of gambling, particularly among younger demographics. She noted that access to these apps is too easy, and many users end up “borrowing money, or even pawning gadgets” just to continue gambling.
“What young people are addicted to becomes normalized. If they are constantly exposed to gambling, they will become addicted,” she said in Filipino.
The senator urged fellow lawmakers to back the measure, underscoring its importance in safeguarding mental health and preventing financial ruin for Filipino families. As online gambling continues to grow in popularity, the Kontra E-Sugal Act aims to establish firmer boundaries between digital entertainment and exploitative gaming.
