Online gambling ads crackdown pushed

A former official of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission is calling for a nationwide ban on online gambling advertisements amid growing concerns over the impact of digital gambling platforms on families, youth, and vulnerable sectors.

Atty. Nick Conti, CEO of Capstone Intel Corp. and former anti-graft commissioner, said his appeal comes as the government ramps up efforts to shut down thousands of illegal online gambling websites operating in the country.

Recent reports from Malacañang said more than 7,000 illegal sites have already been identified and taken offline, with enforcement continuing despite operators frequently changing domains to evade detection.

“Online gambling is a silent epidemic,” Conti said. “It is available 24/7, targets the most financially at-risk, and is being disguised as entertainment. The glamorization of gambling through aggressive ads is normalizing addiction and destroying lives quietly.”

He expressed alarm over the growing use of e-wallets, online banks, and digital platforms to fund gambling transactions, which he said blurs the line between legitimate financial activity and harmful behavior. He warned that without immediate safeguards, online gambling could lead to mounting debt, mental health issues, and financial crimes such as money laundering.

As a cyber intelligence and governance expert, Conti emphasized the need for a multi-agency response to what he called a “systemic and evolving threat.”