Javi Benitez: “Banning online gambling won’t make it disappear”
JAVI BENITEZ – The Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative believes that banning online gambling is not the solution—and may even make the situation worse.
On July 8, he warned that instead of stopping gambling altogether, a ban would likely push it into illegal or underground operations, making it harder to regulate and more dangerous for the public.
Benitez emphasized that over 40,000 Filipinos depend on legal online gambling platforms for their income. These jobs support real families who rely on them for food, education, healthcare, and other daily needs. Shutting down the industry would leave thousands without work.
He also pointed out the industry’s significant contribution to public services, saying it generates more than ₱200 billion annually for the government. These funds help support schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and social programs. For example, he noted that a single company, DigiPlus, paid ₱33.7 billion in taxes—money that goes directly into essential services for the public.
Benitez compared the idea of banning online gambling to past failures, such as the bans on alcohol and jueteng, which only led to increased crime and unregulated markets. He stressed that proper regulation is the key—not prohibition. Legal platforms, he said, are transparent and accountable. They can verify ages, protect minors, ensure fair games, and even identify and assist people struggling with gambling addiction—something underground operators can’t do.
He also noted that other countries like the UK, Sweden, and Denmark have successfully regulated online gambling, keeping it safe while still gaining economic benefits.
Benitez said he fully supports stricter rules and smarter regulations to protect the public and ensure the system works for everyone. But banning the entire industry, he warned, would only worsen the problem. “Gambling is here to stay,” he said. “The only question is whether we want it safely regulated and benefiting our communities or dangerously unregulated and controlled by criminals.”