The Philippines’ Rising Risk of Online Gambling Addiction

Here in the Philippines, online gambling is prevalent with the presence of online casinos and promotions on social media. It has become a major concern to us Filipinos, especially to those with families. Recently, netizens bashed a well-known celebrity for endorsing an online gambling platform. 

This makes us wonder: What does gambling really offer and what are the risks?

How It All Started

Casinos in the Philippines began during the time of President Ferdinand E. Marcos. They were introduced to help tourism and raise money for the government. Decades later, under President Rodrigo Duterte, online gambling became even bigger with the introduction of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

From virtual casinos to sports betting, the industry offers a variety of games available at your fingertips 24/7. The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to the growth of the industry, as people turned to online platforms for entertainment during lockdowns.

But wait, are any of these online casinos legitimate? To verify, you can check the PAGCOR website, which lists all accredited service providers.

The Temptation of Winning

Advertisements for online gambling often show big wins, making it seem like easy money. This is especially tempting in a country where many people face financial difficulties. Since Filipinos use social media a lot, they often see these ads. But these promotions only show one side of the story—they don’t talk about the losses and addiction that many people face.

Aside from that, many people are influenced by livestreams or videos on social media where people showcase their gambling ‘wins.’ However, these winnings are often staged or exaggerated to create the illusion that making money through gambling is easy. Viewers may not realize that the majority of these videos or posts are carefully manipulated to attract attention and promote gambling.

Additionally, these platforms often market online gambling as a ‘side hustle,’ suggesting that it’s a quick and easy way to make extra money. This misleading message can encourage people, especially those struggling financially, to try gambling in hopes of earning money, only to find themselves trapped in a dangerous cycle of addiction and loss.

The Hidden Dangers

Regardless if it is legit or not we advise not to play online gambling as they have predatory tactics that claim many lives. You can easily see tons of articles online and online posts on social media about how online gambling destroyed their lives or family. 

The sad stories of people affected by gambling addiction are rarely talked about. Many people end up in deep debt and sadness. For example, Lars Pacheco, a former beauty queen, shared that she lost PHP 5 million to online gambling. Her experience shows how harmful gambling addiction can be.

People often feel ashamed to talk about their gambling problems. They keep hoping they will win back their money, but this usually leads to more losses. This secret struggle can ruin lives and relationships.

Online gambling not only harms individual families but also affects society as a whole. When people lose a lot of money, they can become desperate. Some may turn to stealing, fraud, other crimes to get money, only to lose it again in online gambling, continuing the cycle. This can make neighborhoods less safe and create more problems for everyone.

Why People Get Addicted

Gambling is exciting because people enjoy taking risks and winning. The thrill is like a drug that can change how you think. Plus the way they gamify online gambling really makes people hooked to play. But this excitement can become an obsession, leading to bad decisions.

With online gambling, there is no way to verify if the system is fair or if it’s designed to keep you playing. Psychological tactics, like near-miss outcomes where a player almost wins, can create a false sense of control and encourage continuous play. These tricks make players think they are close to winning, which keeps them coming back for more.

Online gambling might seem fun and rewarding, but it has serious consequences. It’s a lot like the famous Korean show Squid Game, where the stakes are high, and the risks are huge. In the end, gambling often leads to more loss than gain. It’s important to think about whether it’s worth the risk—because most of the time, the odds are not in our favor.

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