The Philippines has recently tightened its grip on the online gambling industry, particularly targeting advertising and payment channels, causing online betting transactions to plummet by nearly 50%.
Recently, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano welcomed the Central Bank's (BSP) order for e-wallet platforms to remove gambling links within apps during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, resulting in a halving of online gambling transactions.
At the hearing, Cayetano criticized the BSP for communicating with platforms in July but only issuing the removal order on the day of the hearing, accusing the central bank of lacking "political will." He questioned the appropriateness of giving e-wallets a 48-hour grace period: "Is it acceptable if someone becomes addicted to online gambling or even loses their life within these 48 hours?"
Subsequently, BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan officially issued Memorandum No. M-2025-029, requiring e-wallets and regulated financial institutions, including GCash and Maya, to immediately remove gambling portals, icons, and links, with a deadline of 48 hours. Media outlets such as GMA, Philstar, and ABS-CBN reported the event. This ban means that as of August 17, users can no longer directly access online gambling services through these platforms.
Regarding market impact, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) reported that online gambling transactions plummeted by 50%, showing the effectiveness of the regulation. Analysts point out that while this may impact the gambling revenue of e-wallet platforms in the short term, the overall business impact is limited as their growth remains diversified, and the ban is only on in-app links, not on transactions entirely.
Meanwhile, legislative efforts have also accelerated. Cayetano proposed Senate Bill No. 109 of 2025, the "Anti-Online Gambling Advertising Act," which aims to prohibit all forms of media—including television, radio, internet, social media, print, and outdoor advertising—from promoting online gambling. Additionally, the bill stipulates that violators could face up to 6 years in prison or fines up to 5 million pesos, with stricter penalties for public officials. This bill is an enhancement of the "Prohibition of Online Gambling Act" that he proposed in collaboration with Senator Pia Cayetano.
Other senators like Sherwin Gatchalian and Risa Hontiveros also advocate for stricter regulations. They suggest implementing daily transaction limits, time restrictions, and even biometric verification for banks and e-wallets to prevent gambling addiction and money laundering risks. Simultaneously, government agencies are also taking action: DICT requires internet influencers to remove gambling-related content, PAGCOR orders the removal of gambling billboards, and there is a growing consensus in society: gambling advertising must stop.
Overall, this tightening on online gambling not only weakens user access channels but also cuts off funding and promotional momentum, aiming to curb the spread of online gambling addiction from the source. The Philippine government and Senate are working together, tackling this social issue through regulations, financial supervision, and public education.
