MANILA – The government is still assessing the broader implications of a total ban on online gambling, amid rising calls to outlaw the practice due to mounting cases of Filipinos suffering financial hardship linked to “gambling addiction,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Sunday.

In a media interview, Bersamin was asked whether President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will declare a full ban on online gambling during his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), similar to his 2023 address where he announced the prohibition of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

“Well, the policy remains the same… the President is very strong about POGOs, banned na ‘yan (POGOs are already banned),” Bersamin said.

He clarified that while the ban on POGOs remains in effect, other types of online gaming not associated with scams or online fraud are still under consideration.

“We are still looking into it because we have to see all the ramifications that gaming of that method may be allowed to operate,” he added.

SONA preparations

Bersamin also said the President has been actively involved in preparing his fourth SONA, which will be delivered on July 28 at the Batasan Pambansa.

“The President has been involved very personally in the preparation of the SONA because that is the report to the people,” he said.

“Alam niyo si Presidente, masyadong malakas ang focus niyan sa mga ganitong bagay (You know the President is very focused on these things) because he really loves to communicate to the people the work that he has been doing, that the Cabinet has been doing, that the entire government has been doing.”