Courtesy: Asia Gaming Brief
RECENT government records reveal a significant surge in gambling activity in the Philippines, with approximately 32 million Filipinos now participating in electronic gaming.
As of July 15, 2025, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has recorded 32.117 million “Filipino electronic gaming players,” a staggering increase of nearly 200 percent compared to the 8.2 million recorded last year.
The data, disclosed by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian during a Senate hearing on Thursday, has sparked concern and prompted calls for stricter regulations on online gambling platforms.
Senator Gatchalian expressed his shock at the figures, stating that “When I saw this, Senator (Miguel) Zubiri, I fell off my chair.”
He highlighted that the 32 million gamblers represent a substantial portion of the country’s population, with roughly half of the 60 million adult population now engaging in gambling activities. The dramatic increase raises concerns about the potential social and economic consequences of widespread gambling, including addiction, financial instability, and the erosion of traditional values.
The Senate is currently investigating the issue, weighing the potential benefits of regulating online gambling against the risks associated with its proliferation.
