Erwin Tulfo, the chairman of the Philippine Senate Committee on Gaming and Entertainment, recently stated that there has been a declining trend in the number of online gambling participants in the country. According to data provided by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), the number of people participating in online gambling nationwide has decreased by about 15%.
Tulfo pointed out during a radio show that this change mainly stems from the choices of economically challenged groups. He mentioned that many low-income participants have gradually withdrawn from online gambling activities due to the cost of internet access and other economic factors.
"Those most affected are often people with limited economic conditions," Tulfo explained on the show, "not the affluent class, but ordinary people who bet small amounts each time." He analyzed that with adjustments in regulatory policies and considerations of internet usage costs, some people are beginning to reassess the economic viability of participating in online gambling.
Many gambling participants in the Philippines use prepaid mobile communication services, requiring additional fees for internet connectivity. With changes in the regulatory environment and the pressure of daily expenses, some people believe that continuing to participate in online gambling no longer aligns with their economic interests.
Tulfo emphasized that reducing the dependence of low-income groups on online gambling is an important goal of the committee's work. The Senate side stated that it will continue to advance the improvement of relevant regulatory measures, committed to protecting vulnerable groups from the negative impacts of excessive gambling.
