An opinion piece in Inquirer Technology urges stopping the labeling of gambling as 'gaming' in the Philippines, arguing it damages the video game and esports industry by confusing public perception.
An opinion article published on February 16, 2026, in Inquirer Technology expresses frustration over the routine labeling of gambling activities as 'gaming' in the Philippines. The piece notes that casinos are called 'gaming operators,' and betting platforms 'gaming entities,' leading to public confusion.
The author clarifies that gambling involves wagering money on chance, while gaming refers to interactive entertainment like video games and esports. In the Philippines, 'gaming' has become a euphemism for gambling to sound cleaner in hearings and reports. However, this transfers stigma to the legitimate gaming industry, causing parents and policymakers to mistakenly associate issues with children's console gaming or after-school play.
The Philippine esports sector has spent years building credibility, producing world champions and establishing structured leagues in production, analytics, broadcasting, marketing, and technology. Yet, vague headlines undo this progress, forcing the community to clarify that problems stem from betting, not tournaments or developers. The article calls for precise language: regulate gambling as gambling, not gaming. 'Language shapes perception, and perception shapes policy,' the author states.
This is not an attack on gambling operators but a defense of clarity for the maturing esports ecosystem in the Philippines, which should not inherit unrelated controversies.