MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has warned that the rise of online lending apps (OLAs) is fueling the country’s online gambling crisis, pushing vulnerable Filipinos—particularly students and low-income earners—deeper into financial distress.

“Nalulong na sa online gambling, pinagsamantalahan pa ng online lending apps. Kailan kaya titigil ang sistemang lumulunod sa mahihirap nating kababayan?” Senator Win Gatchalian said in a statement.

According to the senator, many Filipinos struggling with online gambling addiction are turning to OLAs as a last resort to fund their habits, only to end up trapped in a cycle of mounting debt and abusive collection practices.

Gatchalian said that posts and confessions across various online forums reveal how OLAs are commonly used to borrow money to gamble, with some users admitting to repeatedly taking out loans just to settle previous gambling losses.

He warned that the predatory loan terms and aggressive tactics used by some OLAs are compounding the psychological toll on individuals already suffering from addiction.

“These harsh and often unconscionable loan terms worsen the plight of Filipinos hooked on online gambling,” Gatchalian said. “They borrow to gamble and gamble to repay their debts, creating a vicious and dangerous cycle.”

Gatchalian recently filed a Senate resolution seeking an investigation into the unchecked proliferation of online lending platforms and their debt collection practices. He said the probe would help determine necessary regulatory safeguards to protect borrowers from financial exploitation.

The call comes amid growing concerns over the social impact of the online gambling boom in the country, which Gatchalian said has torn families apart, drained savings, and left young Filipinos in financial ruin.