Calls Grow in the Philippines to Restrict Online Gambling Ads

Concerns Over Normalised Gambling Culture

Nicasio Conti, now CEO of Capstone Intel Corporation, has raised alarm over what he describes as the “glamorisation” of gambling in the Philippines. Speaking to the Manila Bulletin, the former head of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission called for a blanket ban on online gambling advertisements, arguing that aggressive digital campaigns have helped normalize risky behavior among vulnerable communities.

Conti pointed in particular to the rise of comedic social media content focused on gambling losses—often involving popular platforms like “online sabong”—which, in his view, trivializes the financial and psychological harm linked to online betting.

Regulatory Gaps and Financial Risks

Although the Philippine government has taken down over 7,000 illegal gambling websites, operators continue to reappear under new domains, evading detection. Meanwhile, the widespread use of e-wallets and digital banking services for gambling-related payments has made it increasingly difficult to separate legitimate activity from unregulated or potentially criminal transactions.

Conti warned that this grey zone could facilitate money laundering and further erode consumer protection, particularly in the absence of strong financial oversight.

To address these issues, Conti is calling for a coordinated response involving lawmakers, regulators, and digital platforms. He argues that the Philippines should adopt stricter advertising controls in line with international examples, including jurisdictions that have placed outright bans on gambling marketing.