Beyond the giveaway
Beyond the giveaway
| Princess Hale Capili
The irony and hypocrisy of Filipinos—good grief.
One click for a giveaway, one blind eye to the truth. What began as a quiet ripple has become a raging tide, pulling families into debt, despair, and even crime. Online gambling has rapidly become a national concern, harming families, draining finances, and increasing crime risks.
For JCAians, this issue is more relevant than it may seem. Online gambling is no longer limited to casinos—it now appears on the same social media platforms students use every day through influencer endorsements, sponsored content, and viral giveaways.
A 2023 national survey found that nearly two-thirds of Filipinos aged 18 to 24 engage in online gambling. It is becoming more common among youth because of its accessibility through smartphones, e-wallets, and social media.
That is why many questioned Ivana Alawi’s latest giveaway, as one of the requirements for being selected as a winner for an iPhone 17 is to follow “Casino Plus,” an online gaming app she was endorsing.
Students today are among the most exposed to online trends, making them most vulnerable to the growing influence of online gambling. This influence does not only come from gambling platforms themselves but can also appear in digital spaces they frequently engage with, including online games.
Additionally, many games use microtransactions, loot boxes, and randomized rewards that encourage players to spend money for a chance to receive certain items or advantages. While these mechanics are not always considered gambling, they can introduce students to gambling-like behaviors by normalizing spending for uncertain outcomes.
Behind the appeal of viral giveaways and online promotions are risks that are often ignored. What seems like a simple chance to win can introduce students to gambling platforms, potentially affecting their financial habits and academic priorities.
This concern was highlighted in 2025 when the Department of Education raised reports, suggesting that some students and minors were using money intended for school expenses to participate in online gambling or purchase loot boxes in games. It highlights its potential impact on students’ academic performance and financial well-being.
Online gambling shouldn’t be normalized—and this isn’t about overreacting—but whether it’s just a simple follow on the page or you don’t actually gamble, the result is the same: you’re still supporting it one way or another.
People are responsible for their own actions, but influencers also carry a social responsibility because of the impact they have on others. Because they have the power to shape opinions and behaviors, it would be better for them to avoid promoting gambling.
Addressing online gambling requires stronger government regulation, stricter age verification, responsible advertising, and greater digital literacy among young people.
Online gambling cannot be stopped easily, which is why schools, families, and public figures also have a role in educating youth and promoting responsible online behavior to help prevent gambling from becoming normalized.
As citizens, we mustn’t turn a blind eye. We mustn’t be blinded by giveaways. We have to think for a better future. But now, we stand at a crossroads. Will we be the catalysts of a better future? It is time to end online gambling for the sake of future generations. Think before you do something; think beyond the giveaway.