55% of online gamblers unaware of risks from illegal sites — study
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A study by The Fourth Wall surveyed 400 Filipino online gamblers from Mega Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao and found that 55% admitted they were unaware of the legal risks tied to unregulated gambling platforms. Another 33% said they knew “a little,” while only 12% found the rules clear .
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Players cited game variety, frequent promotions, faster transactions, and convenient payment options as the main reasons for choosing unregulated platforms, with trust and customer service being less important .
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Many users gamble more heavily on illegal platforms, with 40.7% playing 2–3 times per week and 16.6% playing four times or more .
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Most bets fell within ₱100–₱499, though bets over ₱1,000 were rare and almost exclusive to unregulated sites. 41% of respondents said financial losses prompted them to stop gambling .
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The study categorized players into four risk profiles:
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High-stakes losers (44%): Play exclusively on unregulated platforms with heavy, often unprofitable bets.
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Perceived winners (28%): Medium-frequency bets on unregulated sites, believing wins outweigh losses.
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Casual break-even players (17%): Prefer low-risk, entertainment-focused gambling.
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Regulated converts (11%): Use both regulated and unregulated platforms but lean toward regulated ones .
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The players were predominantly 26–45 years old, mostly from lower-income brackets, and viewed gambling as a casual leisure activity .
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Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto noted that the government is still finalizing details on an online gambling tax and other preventive measures to counter financial loss and addiction .
