Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr chose not to weigh in on the country\u2019s fast-growing online gaming sector during his State of the Nation Address on Monday, despite mounting pressure from legislators and civic groups calling for a nationwide ban.<\/p>\n
The omission was widely noted, given the pace at which the domestic online gaming industry, often referred to as eGames, has expanded over the past year. In 2024, Marcos used his annual address to announce the closure of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), but this year\u2019s speech avoided any mention of new restrictions on locally targeted online betting.<\/p>\n
Marie Antonette \u201cTonet\u201d Quiogue of Arden Consulting described the president\u2019s silence as a deliberate move rather than a missed opportunity. \u201cAmid calls for a total ban from some legislators and sectors, the President\u2019s silence signaled a refusal to be rushed into a decision on a complex issue that demands more data, deeper study, and a holistic understanding,\u201d she wrote in a paper released shortly after the address.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was not a missed opportunity \u2013 it was a conscious choice to avoid a knee-jerk policy that could create more problems than it solves,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
Online gaming has quickly become one of the largest contributors to the country\u2019s gambling revenues. PAGCOR figures show that in the first quarter of 2025, eGames generated Php51.4 billion ($896.1 million), accounting for nearly half of the national gross gaming revenue. This growth has also prompted debate about how best to regulate the sector.<\/p>\n