President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is exploring measures to address the growing issue of online gambling addiction, expressing sympathy for families affected by the problem.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro said the administration is intensifying efforts to combat illegal gambling and online fraud. 

She cited the Bureau of Immigration’s recent arrest of four Korean nationals involved in unauthorized online gambling activities.

“Ang Pangulo po ay nakikisimpatiya sa mga pamilya na nabibiktima ng ganitong klaseng gambling dahil po iyong iba nilang kasama sa bahay ay nagiging gumon sa pagsusugal (The President sympathizes with families victimized by this kind of gambling, especially those whose loved ones have become addicted),” Castro said said in press briefing. 

Castro said among the proposals under consideration is an initiative from the Department of Finance (DOF) to increase taxes on online gambling platforms.

“Iyan po ay tinitingnan din po ng Pangulo para mas maganda po ang maging polisiya pagdating po sa online gambling (The President is reviewing the DOF’s proposal to ensure better policies on online gambling),” Castro added.

The Palace official noted that the government is also weighing possible regulations on social media influencers who promote gambling-related content.

“So, pag-aaralan po lahat iyan at mabigyan ng tamang direksiyon at judgment on that matter (All of these proposals will be studied to ensure proper direction and judgment on that matter),” she said.