Many Filipino online gamblers remain unaware of the dangers posed by unregulated betting platforms, exposing themselves to higher risks of fraud, scams and financial losses, a new study warned.
The Fourth Wall, a sociocultural research firm, said 55 percent of 400 surveyed gamblers in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao admitted they had no knowledge of the legal risks of unregulated sites. A further 33 percent had “little” knowledge, while only 12 percent said they fully understood the rules.
Despite the mistrust, unregulated platforms continue to attract the majority of players. The study found play frequency is higher on these sites, with 41 percent logging in two to three times weekly and nearly a third playing four or more times. By comparison, those who also use regulated platforms gamble less often.
Unregulated platforms lure players with larger game libraries, aggressive promotions, minimal verification, no betting limits, and quicker transactions.
Yet skepticism persists: 39 percent doubted their fairness, compared with 27 percent who were confident and 28 percent who were uncertain.
“Our study reveals confidence, fairness, and profitability matter more than platform features such as betting limits or affiliate programs,” research director John Brylle Bae said. “This explains why players, despite uneasiness, continue to engage as long as they perceive a chance to win.”
Players on unregulated sites also tend to place bigger bets—P100 to P1,000—leading to steeper losses, sometimes as high as P5,000. In contrast, losses on regulated sites usually range between P100 and P499.
The study said most players are aged 26 to 45, from lower-income households, and view gambling as casual leisure. Many could not recall seeing fairness certifications, and more than 90 percent said they signed up with little or no identity checks.
Researchers categorized gamblers into four groups: “high-stakes losers” (44 percent), “perceived winners” (28 percent), “casual break-even players” (17 percent), and “regulated converts” (11 percent). Bingo Plus ranked as the most preferred regulated platform at 32 percent, while JiliBet topped unregulated sites at 28 percent.
The Fourth Wall said unregulated platforms bypass Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. safeguards, skipping Know Your Customer checks and betting caps that protect against fraud, privacy risks and excessive losses.
“Trust, not legality, drives player behavior,” Bae said. “Policy could focus on shaping conditions such as payment channels, verification systems, or advertising practices that make safer options more attractive, rather than targeting players.”
The firm recommended building awareness, rethinking promotions, and strengthening dispute resolution to build trust.
It also urged regulators to explore flexible safeguards tailored to different risk profiles—such as optional betting limits or reminders—to make regulated play more appealing without restricting casual users.
