The Philippines may be taking steps to curb 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.