Former congressman Mike Defensor is seeking to reform policies on online gambling, stating that legal operations can be beneficial for the country’s economy.
In an exclusive interview at DZRH’s Dos Por Dos on Friday, July 18, Defensor stated that his firm has partnered up with World Platinum Technologies Inc. (WPT) to help others understand the differences between the legal and illegal operations of online gambling.
Defensor explained that some companies are permitted to operate and are licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The former lawmaker emphasized the conversation around online gaming, stating that policy reforms are crucial.
“Una sa lahat kami ay nananalig sa gobyerno at naniniwala na dapat talaga mayroong reporma. Dapat talaga may kailangang ayusin. Hindi pwede ‘yong kaliwa’t kanan lang. Sabi nga ng iba kahit na sino nakakapaglaro,” he said.
“Gusto ko lang linawin na dito sa mga legal na operasyon kasama ang online payment platforms katulad ng GCash, katulad ng Smart, ay lahat kami talagang sumusunod doon sa mga alituntunin,” he added.
The former lawmaker stated that limitations must be imposed, citing the amount of money allocated for these platforms. However, Defensor mentioned that what happens at the moment is that people are immediately bombarded by the illegal online gambling sites whenever they open their phones.
This is because 60% of the operations in the country are still illegal.
Retaining Workers
Despite this, Defensor pointed out that some Filipinos, especially those working in the industry, have the potential to boost the country's legal online gaming operations. In fact, the Philippines is among the leading nations worldwide in terms of online gambling operations.
However, Defensor noted that only 177 countries have legalized operations and regulated them.
“Ang sinasabi natin, dito sa Asia Pacific dito sa Asya, nauuna tayo. Ang ibig lang sabihin nito ‘yong mga game developers, ‘yong mga Pilipino, natututo. Gumagawa ng mga graphics, gumagawa ng mga designs. Sana itong nagiging lamang natin sa industriya, huwag nating patayin. kasi..isang borderless na tayong sitwasyon,” he said.
“Gusto ho ba natin na patayin natin dito [yung industriya]? ‘Yong mga nagtatrabaho dito pupunta na sa ibang bansa dahil wala na silang trabaho dito. Pero ganon din maglalaro din yung Pilipino, doon lang sila maglalaro sa ibang bansa. Ang kailangan ho regulasyon,” he added.
Funding through PAGCOR
With this, the former lawmaker said that pushing for a total ban on online gambling is not the solution, because PAGCOR is among the top three agencies funding the government. These are the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and PAGCOR.
“Isipin niyo ho, ang binibigay niya [PAGCOR] almost P80 billion contribution to the national government. Ang laking pondo niyan. Kung titingnan niyo yung kabuoang [picture], ang laki ng utang natin, ang dami nating mga programa, kailangan nating ayusin. For example na lang ho, sa PhilHealth, P16 billion [ang direct contribution ng PAGCOR],” he explained.
Around 60 to 70 percent of the contributions to PAGCOR come from online gambling. The former lawmaker said that this percentage is higher than that of casinos. If the government pushes for a total ban on online gambling, social programs would be affected.
In contrast to the total ban, Defensor said the government can also look into strengthening cybersecurity to help keep track of the legal and illegal operations in the country.
“Ang pinaka importante sa amin, ano po yung pinaka magandang regulasyon para ma-protektahan ‘yong mga tao, magkaroon ng dibidendo ang gobyerno, magamit sa mga programa, and at the same time, hindi naman maapektuhan ‘yong pamilyang Pilipino,” he explained.
Taking note of other countries, Defensor stated that balance is all the country needs when it comes to regulating online gambling, so that the funding could continue.
“Ang importante dito ‘yong 50,000 na may trabaho sa ngayon. Saan pupunta itong mga ‘to? Siyempre pagka ilegal wala na ‘yan, kung saan-saan na ‘yan pupunta. Mag aabroad na ‘yong iba, kailangan nating protektahan,” he highlighted.
