Consumer groups urge tech-driven steps vs. illegal online gambling
Consumer advocacy groups on Thursday called on the government to adopt smarter and technology-driven measures to combat illegal online gambling instead of prohibiting its operations.
In a news release, Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente, and Konsyumer at Mamamayan warned that an outright ban may only force legitimate gaming platforms to operate underground.
'Public concerns about the dangers of gambling are valid,' Atty. Karry Sison, BK3 Convenor, said.
'But banning online gambling outright won't solve the problem. Many of these sites operate offshore and beyond the reach of our laws, continuing to spread harmful software and steal user data,'' Sison added.
The group emphasized the need for stronger digital regulation that is supported by advanced governance tools, instead of blanket prohibitions, which may later lead to more harmful and untraceable underground gambling activities.
'You shut one site today, and another one replaces it tomorrow. We need smarter systems that proactively detect and stop these operations before they reach consumers. This is not just a gambling issue—it's a cybersecurity issue,' Sison said.
Both BK3 and KM expressed concern over unregulated gambling sites ''becoming gateways to fraud, exploitation, and other forms of criminal activity due to the lack of oversight.''
For his part, KM Convenor Danilo Lorenzo 'Ren' De Los Santos pointed to the potential of digital financial tools, particularly e-wallets, in tracking and disrupting suspicious behavior linked to online gambling.
'E-wallets are used by millions of Filipinos every day. With the proper regulatory framework, these tools can identify red flags like frequent betting, underage users, or unusual account activity,' De Los Santos said.
'Technology can empower our regulators to respond faster and more effectively,'' he added.
Several lawmakers have included in their priority bills for the 20th Congress the legislation for the total ban of online gambling in the country, while some are only pushing for restricting access to it.
As for the Executive, Malacañang said that President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. will study the calls to ban online gambling. –NB, GMA Integrated News
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