A recent study of Filipino online gamblers indicates a preference for stronger regulation of the sector rather than an outright prohibition.

The study was conducted by the sociocultural research firm, The Fourth Wall. They surveyed over 1,000 players in urbanised areas across the Philippines. The research aimed to analyse the behaviours, motivations, and perceptions of these players in relation to the country’s growing online gambling landscape.

This might have come after recent news circulating about the worry of how online gambling is booming, and is easily accessible through financial apps such as GCash and Maya.

The key finding reveals that a majority of players (53%) oppose a ban on regulated online gambling platforms. A large majority (75%) believe such a move would not actually stop gambling. Instead, they feel it would only drive people toward illegal sites and unregulated foreign platforms.

Conversely, 80% of respondents support a ban specifically targeting unregulated platforms. They cite the need to avoid scams and curb addiction, particularly among vulnerable groups, as the reason.

John Brylle L. Bae, Research Director at The Fourth Wall, explained the sentiment. “There is an understanding among them that an outright ban won’t stop online gambling, but instead push it underground, increasing risks like scams and addiction… This suggests their call for regulation is rooted in safer options and better consumer protection,” he said.

The study also found that safety and legitimacy are top priorities for players when choosing a platform.

While 73% of players feel that regulation from institutions like the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is important, a significant portion remain unsure of the agency’s full responsibilities.

The study also highlighted the key role of e-wallets, with 92% of players preferring GCash. Players cite their trust in the platform’s identity checks and spending regulation features as important aids to responsible gambling.

On another note, the survey reveals an overwhelming reliance on e-wallets among online gambling players, driven by a preference for safety and legitimacy. The vast majority prefer using GCash, making it the dominant payment platform.

Maya is the second most popular choice, though it accounts for a significantly smaller share of just 6%. A mere 2% of the players surveyed do not use e-wallets, opting instead for methods like over-the-counter payments.

This highlights a strong market consolidation around a primary e-wallet provider within this user group.

Featured image by Freepik.