MANILA (July 14) – Senators on Monday expressed strong support for the efforts of various government agencies to curb online gambling, which they are seeking to ban entirely due to its harmful social and financial effects.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian commended the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for its newly issued regulations that tighten payment rules for online gambling transactions. He described the move as a “monumental step” in shielding Filipinos—especially the youth—from gambling addiction and financial distress.
Among the BSP’s measures are daily transaction caps, time-based limits, and biometric verification requirements for online gambling payments. Gatchalian said these safeguards align with ongoing legislative efforts to address the growing problem of digital gambling.
“The BSP’s decisive action in regulating payment systems is a monumental step toward the responsible use of digital services,” Gatchalian said. “Daily limits and biometric verification can help curb the alarming rise in gambling addiction, particularly among the youth.”
Gatchalian is the author of a proposed bill seeking to prohibit online gambling entirely. The measure also mandates the registration of gambling operators with the Anti-Money Laundering Council and introduces financial safeguards to protect consumers from exploitation.
“All branches of government must unite to stamp out the scourge of online gambling,” he added.
Senator Pia Cayetano echoed Gatchalian’s concerns and welcomed the government’s broader crackdown. She praised the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for instructing social media influencers to remove gambling-related content and for working with online platforms to ensure compliance.
Cayetano also supported the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) order to dismantle gambling-related billboards and advertisements across the country. She called the move essential in reducing aggressive marketing that often targets vulnerable individuals, particularly young people.
“These actions send the right signal — that promoting gambling is unacceptable, especially when it targets our most vulnerable sectors,” Cayetano said.
Describing online gambling as a “silent epidemic,” she warned that it is quietly infiltrating homes, schools, and workplaces.
“Students are gambling away their allowances, employees are betting during work hours, and families are left dealing with broken trust, addiction, and rising debt,” she noted.
Cayetano has also filed the “Ban on Online Gambling Act,” a proposed law that aims to outlaw all forms of online gambling, restrict gambling promotions on social media, and block digital payment channels like e-wallets from processing gambling-related transactions. The bill also includes provisions for public education campaigns to raise awareness about the risks of gambling.
