At the risk of being blunt, let me say it plainly: I am strongly against online gambling. And it’s not just because of personal conviction—it’s because I’ve seen firsthand how it harms Filipino families, derails finances, and slowly corrupts hearts.

Online gambling is not a game. It’s a trap.

And it’s become far too easy and accessible. With a few taps on your phone—through GCash, e-wallets, or apps—you can bet real money. No casino needed. No travel required. Just a phone, a little curiosity, and eventually, addiction.

This isn’t entertainment. It’s destruction in disguise.

What’s at Stake

Many of our kababayans are struggling to put food on the table. Yet some are falling into the false hope of “easy money” from online sabong, color games, or virtual casinos. I’ve heard stories of fathers betting away their wages, students using tuition money to gamble, and housewives trying to “win back” lost grocery funds.

This isn’t just a financial issue. It’s a spiritual and social one.

The Bible warns us:

“The love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
— 1 Timothy 6:10, ESV

Online gambling thrives on that craving. It doesn’t just take your money. It poisons your peace. It breeds addiction, debt, dishonesty, and eventually, despair.

A Personal Appeal to Platforms Like GCash

To the companies enabling this industry—GCash and other e-wallet platforms—please, do better. Remove access to gambling services from your apps. You have a responsibility to protect your users, not profit from their losses.

Yes, it may be profitable in the short term, but the long-term cost to our nation is far greater. Broken families. Financial ruin. A generation hooked on false hope.

I urge our lawmakers and regulators to look deeper into this issue, and I urge every Filipino to think twice before hitting that “bet” button.

Let’s Be Wise Stewards

We are not called to gamble with the resources entrusted to us. We are called to steward them. As believers, we know that true wealth is built on hard work, discipline, generosity, and trust in God—not chance.

“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”
— Proverbs 13:11, ESV

If you’ve fallen into the trap of online gambling, know this: it’s not too late. God is full of grace and restoration. But first, we need to repent, cut off access, seek accountability, and start rebuilding with wisdom and humility.

We don’t need another generation hooked on gambling—we need a generation of faithful stewards, generous givers, and responsible earners.

It’s time we take a stand.