Gambling problem in the Philippines.

[Maslate]

Reading BecomingFilipino’s post made me feel sad.

https://www.facebook.com/becomingfilipino

Yesterday, I had the saddest jeepney ride I have ever experienced…
I was right behind the driver, a Manong, probably in his late fifties.  Whenever we had a delayed stop, he would check his phone and try to spin a few more slots on Bingo Plus.  When we had a really long stop, he kept loading 50 peso with gcash, losing it quickly, and reloading…
Sad to think, he easily blew all his earnings for work in the day… in minutes.  It was one of the most depressing rides I have ever had. 
We all may have vices… I mean gambling has always been deep rooted in culture here.  Just look at perya or sabong.  But grabe, it just seems like online gambling has completely taken over.  Billboards everywhere, ads in apps, random text messages… even slot machines being modeled by Miss Universe contestants on coronation night, talking about being “empowered”.
As I watched Manong, I couldn’t help but think…
Gcash, please disconnect from gambling websites.  It is just too easy 😞
Just couldn’t help but share my sadness and thoughts.  That is all.

This is how serious gambling has become in the Philippines. I’m not against gambling in general, but if it’s making people struggle even more, then I don’t think it’s a good thing anymore. It’s already become very rampant, and that’s mostly because of the popular app GCash, which has made it so easy to access online casinos.

Just recently, the House approved the ban on POGO, but it turns out there’s an even bigger problem now, and that is online gambling that’s easily accessible to everyone. For those who aren’t familiar, POGO stands for ( Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator). They operated in the Philippines but catered to overseas gamblers. Unfortunately, they were linked to illegal activities, especially online scams and money laundering, which is why the government decided to ban them.

But what happened is that we ended up with a new problem.. online gambling that could increase the poverty rate even further.
I hope the government takes notice, because we’re really in big trouble.

[kotajikikox]

Reading BecomingFilipino’s post made me feel sad.

https://www.facebook.com/becomingfilipino

Yesterday, I had the saddest jeepney ride I have ever experienced…
I was right behind the driver, a Manong, probably in his late fifties.  Whenever we had a delayed stop, he would check his phone and try to spin a few more slots on Bingo Plus.  When we had a really long stop, he kept loading 50 peso with gcash, losing it quickly, and reloading…
Sad to think, he easily blew all his earnings for work in the day… in minutes.  It was one of the most depressing rides I have ever had. 
We all may have vices… I mean gambling has always been deep rooted in culture here.  Just look at perya or sabong.  But grabe, it just seems like online gambling has completely taken over.  Billboards everywhere, ads in apps, random text messages… even slot machines being modeled by Miss Universe contestants on coronation night, talking about being “empowered”.
As I watched Manong, I couldn’t help but think…
Gcash, please disconnect from gambling websites.  It is just too easy 😞
Just couldn’t help but share my sadness and thoughts.  That is all.

This is how serious gambling has become in the Philippines. I’m not against gambling in general, but if it’s making people struggle even more, then I don’t think it’s a good thing anymore. It’s already become very rampant, and that’s mostly because of the popular app GCash, which has made it so easy to access online casinos.

Yes this is a problem. But there is also a responsibility here that Filipinos or gamblers in general must uphold. These vices are all accessible but should not be abused just like what was the man was doing in the excerpt. It is very obvious that he is a gambling addict at that point. We should ask ourselves whether others have turned into addicts as well or is this a personal case. We as individuals must also learn how to control our vices. Not everything accessible must be accessed. Not everything you can do must be done.

[Mr. Magkaisa]

Its a choice for the driver to play in a slot. (Im thinking of Super Ace with scatter symbol while readin your post).
A choice to make with a deifferent outcome. Sometimes, he dont need to drive the jeep because he hit a big win and spend the time for his family.
Sometimes, he will ride the whole day and go home with nothing or a few money. It is on our life specially in poor or low income family but not all.

There were more serious problems! That cash app can be access bu minors and they can bet on a casino.
They are also a vulnerable target on their young age.

It is the app that we use daily, who is the nearest for us to do the gambling.
That is the main proiblem. this is a must, I hope there will be a law that online cash app can't hold casino on their app.

[xLays]

Yeah, I just read this on my Facebook feed too. Even if GCash/Maya follows through or removes online casinos from their platform, people who really want to gamble will still find a way to do it. But yes, of course it can at least help minimize their access to these gambling sites. And it's true online local casinos are way too easy to access here in the Philippines because of these e-wallets.
I wonder if it's the same in other countries like do their ewallets also allow them to gamble directly? Or is it only in the Philippines where ewallets give such easy access to online casinos?

Anyway if you want to read some of the worst stories about our fellow Filipinos regarding gambling addiction, join gambling addiction group on Facebook it's there where you can read some of the worst stories about their struggles with gambling addiction. Just search in facebook Gambling Addiction Recovery Philippines (GARP).

[Maslate]

Its a choice for the driver to play in a slot.

Though I agree it’s his choice, aren’t we seeing a problem here? He’s driving a jeep that carries passengers.. imagine if the driver loses focus, the lives of everyone on board are at risk. Let’s put it this way -- what would happen if a pilot played slots while flying a plane? Isn’t that concerning?

[Zlantann]

Miss Universe contestants promoting gambling doesn't look too nice to me. The beauty competition is viewed by young children and some of which are fans of the contestants. These young children can be influenced by this adverts. Gambling adverts should be controlled to shield young people and others from these attractive promotions.

Making laws ro restrict citizens from easily depositing money from financial platforms to online gambling sites might not drastically reduce gambling addiction. This is because there are diverse means to bypass such restrictions.The government should target the main cause of high rate of gambling which is poverty.

[Kelward]

Gambling addiction is not limited to Philippines, alone, it is a global trend especially now that you con conveniently gamble from any location when you feel like. Online gambling have come to stay and there's nothing we can do about it, if it's not banned in your country, you are bound to see the billboards and adverts on TV and social media. I think that governments and NGOs should be sensitizing people on the dangers of irresponsible gambling, if they do I believe that addiction will reduce. Many people gamble irresponsibly because they are ignorant about the house edge that as long as you keep gambling even when you win there is high chances of losing it all back to the casinos. Gamblers should learn to gamble for fun with amount that they can afford to loose.

[DaNNy001]

Gambling addiction is not limited to Philippines, alone, it is a global trend especially now that you con conveniently gamble from any location when you feel like. Online gambling have come to stay and there's nothing we can do about it, if it's not banned in your country, you are bound to see the billboards and adverts on TV and social media. I think that governments and NGOs should be sensitizing people on the dangers of irresponsible gambling, if they do I believe that addiction will reduce. Many people gamble irresponsibly because they are ignorant about the house edge that as long as you keep gambling even when you win there is high chances of losing it all back to the casinos. Gamblers should learn to gamble for fun with amount that they can afford to loose.

Gambling is gradually becoming a global disaster, I wonder what's going to happen if this continues in the next 5 to 10 years from now, you'd have more people in debt and more people that would become overly dependent on it..the best way to approach to Gambling is by making it a source of entertainment and not a source of income, this helps gamblers become more disciplined and less addicted

[Hatchy]

Well this is really bad in developing country like the Philippines. I think the government must have to say something about this issue because gambling may soon begin to ruin not just the life of adult but that of even younger generations. Fact is these casinos may pay certain amount of money so they can operate in the jurisdictions so the government may not want to cut a source of earnings for them selfs. I just hope this case doesn't escalate to something bigger and uncontrollable in the future. They have to act now.

[arwin100]

Reading BecomingFilipino’s post made me feel sad.

https://www.facebook.com/becomingfilipino

Yesterday, I had the saddest jeepney ride I have ever experienced…
I was right behind the driver, a Manong, probably in his late fifties.  Whenever we had a delayed stop, he would check his phone and try to spin a few more slots on Bingo Plus.  When we had a really long stop, he kept loading 50 peso with gcash, losing it quickly, and reloading…
Sad to think, he easily blew all his earnings for work in the day… in minutes.  It was one of the most depressing rides I have ever had. 
We all may have vices… I mean gambling has always been deep rooted in culture here.  Just look at perya or sabong.  But grabe, it just seems like online gambling has completely taken over.  Billboards everywhere, ads in apps, random text messages… even slot machines being modeled by Miss Universe contestants on coronation night, talking about being “empowered”.
As I watched Manong, I couldn’t help but think…
Gcash, please disconnect from gambling websites.  It is just too easy 😞
Just couldn’t help but share my sadness and thoughts.  That is all.

This is how serious gambling has become in the Philippines. I’m not against gambling in general, but if it’s making people struggle even more, then I don’t think it’s a good thing anymore. It’s already become very rampant, and that’s mostly because of the popular app GCash, which has made it so easy to access online casinos.

Just recently, the House approved the ban on POGO, but it turns out there’s an even bigger problem now, and that is online gambling that’s easily accessible to everyone. For those who aren’t familiar, POGO stands for ( Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator). They operated in the Philippines but catered to overseas gamblers. Unfortunately, they were linked to illegal activities, especially online scams and money laundering, which is why the government decided to ban them.

But what happened is that we ended up with a new problem.. online gambling that could increase the poverty rate even further.
I hope the government takes notice, because we’re really in big trouble.

This is really the saddest part happening in Philippines since its really true that we could see those situation.

I encounter that scenario for many times since I see low income people including vendors are trying their luck to win but end up getting busted and all their income in that day to got wasted on their vices.

Government should do something on this since its like they don't have proper regulation of online casinos. They let those influencers rampantly promoting those casino and what's even worse they used to tell lies that its easy to win and people will sign under their link have chance to earn big.

This is big issue that need proper solution since if it happens that lots people get's addicted there's huge chance that crime rate will increase in Philippines.

[freedomgo]

Miss Universe contestants promoting gambling doesn't look too nice to me.

Yeah, it really doesn’t look good. They should be promoting more meaningful things not gambling. This clearly shows how people can be bought, and that everyone seems to have a price especially in a country where many are struggling financially.

It should be an eye-opener for the government and the people. We need to be more careful in choosing our next leaders, someone who will promote job creation, not rely on gambling that could lead to more harm than good.

Gambling is supposed to be for those who can afford it. But in this case, it’s the poor who are gambling, like a jeepney driver who isn’t even earning much. And worse, if he’s gambling while driving, he’s putting passengers at risk. That driver should be reported too.

[Zlantann]

Gambling is gradually becoming a global disaster, I wonder what's going to happen if this continues in the next 5 to 10 years from now, you'd have more people in debt and more people that would become overly dependent on it..the best way to approach to Gambling is by making it a source of entertainment and not a source of income, this helps gamblers become more disciplined and less addicted

In developing nations the main cause of excessive gambling is poverty. Many people see gambling as a source of income, which is why they chase losses and spend more time and resources on gambling. The introduction of online gambling has even made gambling easier, making more people gamble more. I see many unemployed people doing side jobs only to spend it on gambling because they see it as a means to come out of poverty. Maybe in the developed world, which has a good economy, people might gamble for fun because they have a stable source of income.

[God Of Thunder]

But what happened is that we ended up with a new problem.. online gambling that could increase the poverty rate even further.
I hope the government takes notice, because we’re really in big trouble.

The problem is everywhere. The story you mentioned in the OP made me think that the driver is addicted to gambling. Why would I waste my money on gambling when I do hard work to earn the money? The gambling advertisement should come to a limit. The casinos show ads on apps and social media as if it is too easy to make money from casinos.

They show people winning money on every spin and becoming millionaires within a few minutes. Unfortunate people believe that and they do not hesitate to try those casinos with their hard earned money.

[danherbias07]

This is why I deleted my BingoPlus application, and I am not playing anymore. They are eating our money away like they are Pac-Man, who eats all the dots in the game, and there are no ghosts chasing him.

Yeah, it's true that they can afford to pay for advertisements in social media, local channels, and even in the movies. I just recently watched Karate Kid Legends, and I saw a gambling ad that popped out before the movie started. Imagine that, where will they get all the money to pay for those ads? Of course, it's from the players. Worse, they do not even tell the RTP of each game.

Because of the cheap way that one person can play, I bet it's really selling well for our citizens.

[MAAManda]

I think as fellow ASEAN countries, Philippines & Indonesia have the same problem about gambling. Just like you who are also not against gambling platforms, I emphasize more on responsibility & basic understanding of gambling. It should be a simple game that can at least entertain after work etc., but irresponsible people do it without understanding & money management. That's where the problem begins.

People with small incomes go to gamble in the hope of getting rich, what kind of nonsense is this?

[Cointxz]

But what happened is that we ended up with a new problem.. online gambling that could increase the poverty rate even further.
I hope the government takes notice, because we’re really in big trouble.

Sad and very true. I have many employees on both my garments manufacturing and restaurant that playing this same gambling games on Bingo plus thru Gcash during their break time.

I have no complaints when it comes to work since they do this on break time but my concern is they are spending already an amount more than their daily salary. My heart breaks when they lose since they are less motivated to work.

I hope we can petition this casino to removed on our wallet app.

[hyudien]

Not only in the Philippines because this kind of problem occurs almost all over the world, those who are addicted to online gambling will turn a blind eye even though what they do is wrong for example in your story OP, the driver knew what he was doing was wrong and very dangerous for others, this is what happens if you put gambling as an income. I hope that person is taken to a special hospital so that his addiction can be cured.

[Taskford]

But what happened is that we ended up with a new problem.. online gambling that could increase the poverty rate even further.
I hope the government takes notice, because we’re really in big trouble.

The problem is everywhere. The story you mentioned in the OP made me think that the driver is addicted to gambling. Why would I waste my money on gambling when I do hard work to earn the money? The gambling advertisement should come to a limit. The casinos show ads on apps and social media as if it is too easy to make money from casinos.

They show people winning money on every spin and becoming millionaires within a few minutes. Unfortunate people believe that and they do not hesitate to try those casinos with their hard earned money.

That's provably a sign of addiction since no people in right state of mind would gamble in the middle of their job and think about depositing more despite of losing a lot of money at that time.

We see hard work has been wasted due to being irresponsible person. What contributing factor on why this is happening since lots of ads are everywhere and they always say that its so easy to earn money on gambling.

To bad for other people that they believe on easy rich schemes on gambling and some of them earn bad faith since they became miserable especially those people experience addiction.

[sotelorene]

Reading BecomingFilipino’s post made me feel sad.

https://www.facebook.com/becomingfilipino

Yesterday, I had the saddest jeepney ride I have ever experienced…
I was right behind the driver, a Manong, probably in his late fifties.  Whenever we had a delayed stop, he would check his phone and try to spin a few more slots on Bingo Plus.  When we had a really long stop, he kept loading 50 peso with gcash, losing it quickly, and reloading…
Sad to think, he easily blew all his earnings for work in the day… in minutes.  It was one of the most depressing rides I have ever had. 
We all may have vices… I mean gambling has always been deep rooted in culture here.  Just look at perya or sabong.  But grabe, it just seems like online gambling has completely taken over.  Billboards everywhere, ads in apps, random text messages… even slot machines being modeled by Miss Universe contestants on coronation night, talking about being “empowered”.
As I watched Manong, I couldn’t help but think…
Gcash, please disconnect from gambling websites.  It is just too easy 😞
Just couldn’t help but share my sadness and thoughts.  That is all.

This is how serious gambling has become in the Philippines. I’m not against gambling in general, but if it’s making people struggle even more, then I don’t think it’s a good thing anymore. It’s already become very rampant, and that’s mostly because of the popular app GCash, which has made it so easy to access online casinos.

Just recently, the House approved the ban on POGO, but it turns out there’s an even bigger problem now, and that is online gambling that’s easily accessible to everyone. For those who aren’t familiar, POGO stands for ( Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator). They operated in the Philippines but catered to overseas gamblers. Unfortunately, they were linked to illegal activities, especially online scams and money laundering, which is why the government decided to ban them.

But what happened is that we ended up with a new problem.. online gambling that could increase the poverty rate even further.
I hope the government takes notice, because we’re really in big trouble.

Like I always said, gambling is a decision and choice because people are not forced to gamble and so anyone that is gambling is gambling to their own detriment. The fact someone is poor or lets say the economy bad and there is no job opportunity doesn't mean or give room for people to gamble because you will get more depressed whenever you incur loss. Sometimes people forget that gambling is not easy and it is very risky in the sense that one can loss everything just in a twinkling of an eye, especially slot it really has to be avoided because it always give instant result and if you are not on the wining side, you will be depositing and losing steady.

[Y3shot]

This is how serious gambling has become in the Philippines. I’m not against gambling in general, but if it’s making people struggle even more, then I don’t think it’s a good thing anymore. It’s already become very rampant, and that’s mostly because of the popular app GCash, which has made it so easy to access online casinos.

Gambling is not the problem; poverty and the economic crisis are the reasons why people turn to gambling. The worst part is that people often approach it with ignorance, thinking it is the fastest way to make money. People should be held accountable for how they go about gambling, as there is always awareness for gamblers to gamble responsibly online. However, some gamblers don't take the time to read all the instructions on the gambling site.