A top official of a private intelligence firm that monitors digital threats and online consumer behavior has confirmed that popular social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, are drawing more young bettors and low-income individuals — many of whom are now suffering from addiction to digital vice.

Atty. Nicasio “Nick” Conti, CEO of Capstone Intel Corp. and a former commissioner of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC), warned that the unchecked spread of online gambling advertisements in the Philippines, particularly on social media, has triggered a rise in underage betting and financial losses among vulnerable Filipinos.

“We are seeing a disturbing trend: college students gambling away their allowances, minimum-wage earners hooked on online bingo, and influencers normalizing betting as entertainment. This is not innovation — it’s exploitation,” Conti said Tuesday.

With this, Conti urged the House of Representatives to pass a law banning all forms of online gambling advertisements, mirroring Italy’s landmark “Dignity Decree.”

Earlier, Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri filed a bill seeking a total ban on online gambling in the Philippines, calling it a "silent epidemic" that is quietly harming minors and financially disadvantaged individuals.

In the bill, titled the "Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025," Zubiri drew parallels between the threat once posed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and the growing danger of local online gambling platforms.

Mirror Italy

Conti cited Italy’s 2018 legislation as proof that a full advertising ban is legally viable and socially effective, despite early resistance from sports leagues and betting companies.

Under the Decreto Dignità (Dignity Decree), Italy banned gambling promotions across all media, including TV, radio, online platforms, and sports sponsorships, with fines of up to €50,000 per violation.

“Italy did what many countries were afraid to do — they drew a red line,” said Conti.

“They understood that gambling addiction doesn’t start in a casino. It starts with an ad on your phone, a logo on a jersey, or an influencer selling ‘easy money.’ Congress must now show that same courage,” he added.

Conti further argued that the country should stop hiding behind “so-called revenue gains” and instead prioritize public health and moral responsibility.

Condemnation

In a separate statement, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) condemned rampant online gambling, highlighting its accessibility and the misleading promise of instant wealth.

“Online gambling is not innocent. It is deliberately made appealing, especially to the youth and ordinary citizens,” said CBCP President Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.

David criticized the media’s silence and government inaction, saying, “It appears that gambling is deliberately ignored by the media, tolerated by the government, funded by businesses, and enabled by online platforms because of the huge profits it generates.”

Senator Risa Hontiveros has also filed a bill seeking to block access to gambling websites through e-wallet applications and restrict related ads in public and social media spaces.

David warned that unchecked gambling would erode moral values and bring long-term societal harm, including increased crimes and instability. He reaffirmed the Church’s stance that profiting from another’s weakness is a moral failing.

“As a society, the government, businesses, schools, and the Church must not turn a blind eye or remain silent on the harm it causes,” the statement concluded.