Group urges smarter online gambling regulation

Instead of imposing a blanket ban on online gambling, advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines recently called for smarter, tech-driven regulation to protect minors and vulnerable users.

Orlando Oxales, lead convenor of CitizenWatch, warned that pushing for a total ban could backfire by driving gambling operations underground—where government oversight is nonexistent and abuse becomes harder to control.

“Kapag nag-underground ‘yung industriya na ‘yan, lalong mawawalan tayo ng control. Wala tayong regulatory oversight sa mga ito,” Oxales said in an interview.

To prevent this scenario, CitizenWatch is urging regulators to tap into artificial intelligence and facial recognition technologies to block underage users from accessing gambling sites.

“Naniniwala kami na may teknolohiya na pwedeng gamitin. At naniniwala kami na ‘yung PAGCOR at mga payment platforms, they can be part of the solution,” Oxales said. He added that measures like stricter age verification and “know your customer” protocols can be seamlessly integrated with AI tools to ensure only legal-age players gain access.

Oxales emphasized that legitimate online gambling operators also have a responsibility to safeguard their clients’ welfare.

“Kung lehitimo kang negosyo, dapat protektahan mo ang customers mo,” he said, adding that operators should install systems that can detect and intervene when users show signs of harmful behavior or gambling addiction.

Amid growing calls in Congress to either regulate or outright ban online gambling, Oxales cautioned against extreme approaches. He pointed out that banning a digital industry outright could backfire more easily than in traditional industries.

Instead of chasing the industry into the shadows, Oxales believes a tech-enhanced regulatory framework will be more effective in protecting the public—especially the youth—while keeping the sector transparent and accountable.