Gambling addiction in Philippines worsens as helpline calls surge

The Philippines may be taking steps to curb gambling-addiction" class="entity-link entity-topic" data-entity-id="144344" data-entity-type="topic">gambling addiction, but the surge in calls to the Bridges of Hope hotline suggests the problem is worsening, according to the rehabilitation centre’s founder and director, Jon Ty.Ty said gambling now accounted for nine in 10 calls to the centre’s hotline so far this year, up from seven in 10 in 2025.Many of the callers were desperate family members reaching out because their loved ones were gambling addicts. Ty said many gamblers had also resorted to drinking and suffered from other disorders, compounding the problem.It really breaks the whole family unit apart“Unlike drugs and alcohol, where you see one person deteriorating, gambling affects everybody. Tuition doesn’t get paid. Bills are left unpaid. Jobs are lost. The spouse leaves. It really breaks the whole family unit apart.”