Philippine Senator Erwin Tulfo once again targets illegal online gambling ads, naming tech giants such as Meta, TikTok, and Google, demanding they take on more regulatory responsibility.
On September 3, Tulfo met with officials from PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation), the Ad Standards Council, and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), focusing on the proliferation of illegal gambling ads on social media platforms.
He emphasized that while ads from legal gambling operators undergo strict scrutiny, illegal sites can easily place ads on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Google, not only disrupting social order but also misleading the public.
Therefore, Tulfo announced that a Senate hearing will be held on September 11, summoning representatives from Meta, TikTok, and Google to explain how they will prevent the spread of illegal gambling ads. He also invited the DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) and law enforcement agencies to participate, pushing for a stronger regulatory and enforcement mechanism.
It is noteworthy that Tulfo has previously proposed the "Anti-Online Gambling Act" (Bill No. 1304), aimed at completely banning the operation, promotion, and related transactions of online gambling. He warned that illegal online gambling is not only a legal issue but also gives rise to scams, money laundering, and other social risks, requiring platforms and the public to remain highly vigilant.
