Content Creator Awit Gamer Opens Up About Gambling Loss
AWIT GAMER — The content creator whose real name is Awit Cruz — made headlines after emotionally sharing how he lost more than ₱69 million to online gambling.
In a heartfelt video, the popular content creator opened up about how his gambling addiction began when he turned ₱400,000 into ₱6 million in just two hours. The big win pushed him to keep going, and soon he won ₱12 million. This led to him becoming a VIP player with exclusive perks, such as a “black card.” But the winning streak didn’t last.
Awit eventually lost everything — more than ₱55 million in a single run, and over ₱69 million in total. In the video, he apologized to his friends and those he owed money to, saying he was taking full responsibility and would do his best to recover. Many fans and friends showed their support, saying they would give him time to bounce back.
Meanwhile, lawmakers are now pushing for stronger regulations — or even a complete ban — on online gambling. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri recently filed the Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025, which calls for a total ban on online gambling in the country. If passed, internet providers and digital platforms would be required to block gambling websites, while financial services like e-wallets and credit cards would be prohibited from processing gambling-related payments. Offenders could face steep fines or even jail time.
Other senators have proposed similar measures. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian recommends tighter regulations instead of an outright ban. His proposal includes a ₱10,000 minimum deposit, disallowing e-wallets from being linked to gambling sites, and raising the minimum age requirement to 21. Senator Risa Hontiveros also suggested banning gambling advertisements on social media, limiting the use of apps for gambling, and imposing a 10% tax on gambling profits to fund addiction recovery programs.
In the House of Representatives, the Kontra e-Sugal Act (House Bill 1351) also seeks to treat gambling addiction as a serious public health concern.