Manila: The Catholic Bishops in the Philippines have called on the government to impose an outright ban on online gambling, warning that it is wreaking havoc on the mental and physical well-being of the population. The appeal comes as Caritas-led rehabilitation centers across the country report a sharp rise in gambling-related addictions.
The bishops expressed deep concern over the growing normalization of online gambling and condemned it as morally wrong, stating, “Profiting from another’s weakness is a grave injustice.” They emphasized that online gambling contributes not only to personal financial ruin but also to widespread mental health disorders and crimes such as fraud and money laundering.
Of particular alarm is the fact that online gambling has penetrated all layers of society impacting both the rich and poor, employed and unemployed alike. According to the bishops, this widespread access is accelerating social and economic decay, dragging entire families deeper into poverty.
Recent studies support the Church’s concerns. A national survey found that 66% of Filipinos aged 18 to 24 engage in online gambling, while 57% of people aged 41 to 55 also gamble online regularly many two to three times a week. In light of these troubling trends, the bishops have intensified their call for legislative action, urging the government to outlaw online gambling entirely as a measure to prevent further social collapse.