In response to the surge in illegal gambling, the exposure and addiction of minors, the largest fintech platform alliance in the Philippines announced that it will strictly control the use of e-wallets for online gambling. Alliance members such as GCash and Maya will enhance identity verification, monitor transactions, and intercept gambling-related funds in real time to prevent betting activities.
Lito Villanueva, the chairman of the fintech alliance, stated that the industry will cooperate with government regulation, promote ethical marketing, and comprehensively resist the transfer of gambling funds through platforms. Meanwhile, the Central Bank of the Philippines is formulating new regulations that require banks and payment platforms to restrict users' access to gambling sites to protect consumer safety.
This series of measures comes at a time when the nation is tightening online gambling regulations. President Marcos supports taxing and restricting iGaming, while the gambling regulatory agency PAGCOR advocates for precise management; the Congress is also active—Senator Zubiri is pushing the "2025 Anti-Online Gambling Act," advocating for the blocking of gambling sites within 72 hours; the House of Representatives also proposes limiting betting amounts, strengthening real-name verification, and promoting a voluntary exclusion mechanism.
Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros calls for prohibiting individuals under 21 from using e-wallets for gambling, restricting gambling advertisements, and raising the threshold for deposits. The Catholic Church also expresses concerns, believing that e-wallets make "casinos readily accessible" and urges the government to immediately strengthen regulatory defenses.
