Negros Occidental Third Distirct Congress, Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez, cautioned proponents of the proposed ban on online gambling, stressing that such a move could lead to the loss of over 40,000 Filipino jobs and cripple a significant source of government revenue.
Benitez emphasized that a ban would not eradicate online gambling but merely drive it underground, creating a more dangerous and unregulated environment.
Let’s be real: banning websites and apps won’t stop people from accessing them, it just makes them creative, he said. He likened this idea to trying to catch water with your hands, it slips through every time.
He proposed that instead of outdated bans, we need tech-smart, practical policies that reflect how people really behave online. Modern problems deserve realistic, modern solutions, he underscored.
In a public statement posted on his FB account, Benitez highlighted that with a full ban, over 40,000 Filipino workers depend directly on regulated online gambling platforms will loss their jobs.
He stressed that these individuals are “real people with real families, relying on these jobs for food, education, healthcare, and a better life.”
Beyond the immediate job losses, the congressman pointed to the substantial economic contribution of regulated online gambling, which he stated generates more than P200 billion every year.
This revenue, he explained, is channeled directly into vital public services, including hospitals, schools, infrastructure projects, community programs, and social services.
As an example, Benitez cited DigiPlus, a single entity, which reportedly paid P33.7 billion in taxes, directly funding critical public services.
Drawing parallels with historical attempts at prohibition, Benitez argued that prohibition simply doesn’t work. He referenced the failed alcohol prohibition in the United States, which led to a surge in illegal liquor and crime, as well as the enduring presence of “jueteng” despite its ban in the Philippines.
Benitez instead advocated for stronger regulation. This he said should include protective measures in place within the regulated sector, such as age verification to shield minors, assurance of fair games, prevention of exploitation, and mechanisms to identify and support individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
He cited successful regulatory models in countries like the UK, Sweden, and Denmark as proof that regulation, carefully managed and responsibly implemented, works far better than outright bans.
Benitez presented a clear dilemma: “Gambling is here to stay. The only question is whether we want it safely regulated and benefiting our communities or dangerously unregulated and controlled by criminals.”
