PBBM to meet with ‘conclave’ on online gambling soon: Palace

EASY MONEY. An online gambling advertisement is prominently displayed along EDSA in Quezon City on July 8, 2025. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday (July 21) warned that the growing prevalence of online lending apps is enabling a deeper financial crisis among Filipinos already trapped in online gambling, pushing many further into debt and despair. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday confirmed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. plans to convene a meeting with various stakeholders, including representatives from religious groups, to discuss the proposed policy on online gambling regulation.

During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President’s initiative to hold consultations with concerned parties is still in the scheduling stage, following ongoing budget preparations by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The meeting aims to gather inputs for a thorough study of the social and economic impacts of online gaming.

“Hindi pa po ito nai-schedule as of the moment … So, mag-i-schedule pa lamang po ang Pangulo para po makausap ang lahat ng maaaring mga concerned parties para maisagawa ang sapat na pag-aaral patungkol sa online gaming (This has not yet been scheduled as of the moment. So, the President will still schedule meetings to talk with all concerned parties for a proper study regarding online gaming),” Castro said.

Castro added that the consultations are expected to happen soon.

Earlier, Marcos said the government is not rushing to impose a total ban on online gambling, stressing the need for a thorough study of its social costs and possible alternatives.

He said the government is organizing a policy forum — referred to internally as a “conclave” —to gather views from stakeholders to weigh the economic benefits and social costs of online gambling.