Metro Manila, Philippines – A group of Catholic bishops called online gambling addiction a “public health crisis” and urged for more regulation.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) released a statement on Tuesday, July 8, which voiced serious concern on what it called “bagong salot o virus [a new plague or virus]” that destroys individuals, families, and the society.
“Akala natin nakaligtas na tayo sa POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) at E-Sabong, at hindi maipagkakaila ang malalang epekto ng mga ito na hanggang ngayon ay ating dinaranas,” read the statement, signed by CBCP President Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David.
“Pero narito ang bagong mukha ng pagsusugal. Hindi natin namamalayan, talamak na ito, at marami, kasama na ang mga kabataan, ang magiging adik na sa online gambling,” it said.
[Translation: We thought we were already free from POGO and E-Sabong, which had severe effects on our country. But here comes a new face of gambling. We don’t realize how chronic it is, with many, including the youth, addicted to online gambling.]
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