Philippine Senator Migz Zubiri issued a stern warning at the Senate Committee on Gaming and Entertainment meeting, stating that online gambling could lead to more crimes and social issues than Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Zubiri stated, "Online gambling could lead to more deaths and crimes, and its harms could even surpass those of POGOs." He emphasized that those promoting the culture of online gambling, including operators and regulatory bodies, must take responsibility, "You have blood on your hands."
Committee Chairman, Senator Erwin Tulfo, also publicly criticized the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for continuously issuing gambling licenses, contributing to the proliferation of gambling, and called for a total ban and criminal accountability measures for online gambling. He pointed out, "Whether legal or illegal, licensed or unlicensed, online gambling is ruining our lives."
The meeting revealed that from September 2022 to August 6, 2025, the government had seized nearly 12,000 illegal online gambling sites. Additionally, data from the Senate Economic Planning Office showed that PAGCOR's total gambling revenue in 2024 surged by 309%, mainly from electronic casinos and electronic gaming, indicating rapid expansion of online and electronic gambling businesses, raising widespread regulatory and social concerns.
