MANILA, Philippines – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has called for decisive government action against the rise of online gambling, describing it as a growing “public health crisis” that threatens Filipino families, especially the youth.
In a strongly worded statement released this week, the CBCP urged lawmakers, government agencies, and the media to work together in curbing what they called a “pampublikong krisis ng kalusugan sa lipunan (a public crisis of health in society).” The bishops stressed that online gambling is not just a moral issue but one that carries serious social, psychological, and financial consequences.
“We appeal to our leaders to take this matter with the urgency it deserves. Online gambling is destroying lives, breaking families, and putting young people at risk,” the statement said.
The CBCP is pushing for a total ban on online gambling, citing the need to protect vulnerable sectors, especially minors and students, from addiction and exploitation. They also criticized the normalization of gambling in digital platforms, warning that easy access and lack of regulation have made the habit harder to detect—and harder to stop.
This comes amid increasing concerns over the role of technology in enabling gambling addictions, as well as reports of student debts and youth involvement in illegal betting activities.
The bishops also challenged the media to avoid glamorizing gambling in any form and to amplify the dangers it poses. “This is a time for moral courage. The common good must prevail over business interests,” the CBCP said.
The call adds to growing public and legislative scrutiny of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and other online betting platforms, with several lawmakers also backing moves to suspend or phase out online gambling operations altogether.