The Senate studies proposals to ban e-gaming in the Philippines.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, expressed concerns on Friday, September 13, that minors could get addicted to e-gaming.
He cited similarities between e-gaming and e-sabong, which became popular during the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
"Kung maalala natin, yung e-sabong ay walang edad. Anytime, anywhere, anyhow, pwede ka na magbukas ng account sa e-sabong," Gatchalian said during a press briefing.
"Yung mga bata, kung sila ay malulong, ma-addict sa e-gaming, magkakaroon tayo ng malaking problema sa lipunan natin, sa society natin," he added.
The Senate Committee on Ways and Means currently conducts hearings in aid of creating a legislation to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators in the country.
In 2022, then-President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an end to online cockfighting operations or e-sabong in the Philippines.
In that same year, President Ferdinand Marocs Jr. issued an executive order directing the continued suspension of e-sabong operations within the country.
