Anyone in the Philippines age 21 or older can fill their digital wallets and place wagers over an internet connection. But with bets starting as low as 1 peso, or about 2¢, the industry is especially attractive to millions of low-income users imagining a pathway out of poverty. Bets start small but can quickly increase as people seek bigger payouts or try to make up for losses. To boost growth, online gambling companies often deploy local celebrities and sponsor widely watched events, from basketball games to beauty pageants. In a country where nearly a fifth of the population lives on less than $2 a day, users are invariably drawn to the prospect of a lucky break. “They are essentially targeting the people who can least afford to lose their money,” says Ben Lee, managing partner at Macau-based consulting firm IGamiX. “You are not taxing the rich; you’re taxing the poor.”