The surge in online gambling—linked to broken families, drained savings, and student debt—is being driven in part by the rise of online lending apps (OLAs), Senator Sherwin Gatchalian warned.
“Nalulong na sa online gambling, pinagsamantalahan pa ng online lending apps. Kailan kaya titigil ang sistemang lumulunod sa mahihirap nating kababayan?” asked Gatchalian.
He noted that many Filipinos, desperate to fund their gambling habits, turn to OLAs as a last resort. These apps often offer harsh, unconscionable loan terms that trap users in a cycle of borrowing to gamble and gambling to repay.
Gatchalian, who recently filed a resolution to investigate OLAs and their abusive collection practices, said these tactics only worsen the psychological toll on gambling addicts.
“Posts and confessions on various online fora show that OLAs have been used as a last resort by many individuals seeking money to finance their online gambling addiction,” he added.IMT
