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MANILA, Philippines — Seventy-five percent of surveyed players say an outright ban on online gambling will not stop this popular activity but only drive them toward underground sites, social media betting and unregulated foreign platforms, a study by research firm The Fourth Wall said.
Respondents say it will only drive them toward underground sites, social media betting and unregulated foreign platforms.
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Instead, 80 percent of those surveyed call for stronger regulations against illegal gambling platforms. This is in order to avoid scams and curb addiction, especially among youth and low-income groups.
The Fourth Wall surveyed over 1,000 current online gambling players from urbanized areas. In particular, respondents are based in Mega Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao and key cities in other growth centers nationwide.
Among those surveyed, the majority migrated from informal or unregulated street gambling environments. These include sabong, perya, or social media betting, and only 7 percent from land-based casinos.
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“Our study reveals greater preference for safer and regulated platforms among Filipino online gambling players,” John Brylle Bae, research director at The Fourth Wall, said in a press statement on Wednesday.
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“There is an understanding among them that an outright ban won’t stop online gambling, but instead push it underground, increasing risks like scams and addiction through unregulated channels,” Bae said. “This suggests their call for regulation is rooted in safer options and better consumer protection.”
Unregulated platforms are stomping grounds of scammers
The research firm cited data showing a 76-percent surge in scams at unregulated gambling platforms that target social media users. This is the case, especially on Facebook.
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The study also looked at players’ perceptions of government regulation. About 73 percent of those surveyed say regulation from institutions such as Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) matters.
In particular, 61 percent believe Pagcor is doing its job, but a significant 34 percent remain unsure, citing limited understanding of the full responsibilities of this state corporation. This points to a need not only for regulation, but for clearer public education and transparent communication from regulators.
The study observed that online gambling adoption surged post-pandemic from 2022 to 2024. This was mainly due to factors such as lockdowns, digital migration and possibly increased advertising and social influence.
In 2024, online gambling recorded P410 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR), which is projected to rise to P480 billion this year.
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Additionally, e-wallets are seen to play a key role in responsible gambling. Majority of players (92 percent) prefer using GCash, followed by Maya (6 percent). Meanwhile, only 2 percent use over-the-counter payment outlets, the survey showed.
About 73 percent of e-wallet users trust the platforms’ age and identity checks. Also, 64 percent believe these platforms effectively help them regulate their spending, enabling them to play responsibly.
“The study is not about promoting or going against gambling, but about recognizing both the cultural realities and regulatory responsibilities at hand with the ultimate aim of protecting people,” Bae said.
“As online gambling continues to rise in the country, there must be a shift toward more data-driven, research-informed dialogue towards regulation and policymaking,” he added.
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