Philippine Senator Pia Cayetano and her brother Alan Peter Cayetano recently jointly proposed a bill to completely ban online gambling, advocating for the prohibition of all forms of online gambling including online casinos, gambling apps, and live betting, and declaring the operation, betting, and promotion of such activities as illegal, with violators facing up to 10 years in prison.
Pia pointed out that online gambling is becoming a hotbed for internet fraud, cross-border money laundering, and human trafficking, severely eroding social structures and damaging family relationships, "It is no longer entertainment, but a social cancer."
According to the draft bill, platform operators who break the law will face a fine of no less than 10 million pesos and up to 10 years in prison; ordinary bettors will also face up to 100,000 pesos in fines and six months in prison. Promoters, such as celebrities, hosts, and KOLs, who are targeted for the first time, will face at least 5 million pesos in fines and up to five years in prison if found promoting gambling platforms.
The proposal also suggests the establishment of a "Special Action Group on Online Gambling" led by the Presidential Office to coordinate national law enforcement and regulation.
The proposal has attracted widespread attention upon its announcement. Industry insiders worry that if passed, it could directly impact existing legal online gambling models like PIGO and potentially reshape the regulatory landscape of gambling in the Philippines.
