Philippines bans iGaming for government staff, firm backs move
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) of the Philippines issued a memorandum circular that takes effect immediately, banning all personnel, employees of its attached agencies, elected local government unit (LGU) officials, and local government employees from accessing or engaging in any form of online gambling.
According to the memorandum, the DILG stated that it had received reports indicating that many government officials and employees were engaging in online gambling activities. The agency said that this “adversely affects the integrity and credibility of government service.”
Citing Memorandum Circular No. 06, series of 2016 from the Office of the President, the DILG noted that “the mere entry or presence of government officials and employees in gambling casinos shall be considered as conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, unless such presence is in the performance of official duties and functions.” It stressed that the original purpose of the presidential memorandum “has been undermined by the proliferation and accessibility of online gambling platforms, which now pose a similar, if not greater, threat to the ethical standards expected of public officials and employees.”
“Public office is a public trust. Engaging in online gambling undermines the credibility of our institutions and diverts public servants from their sworn duty to serve with integrity, competence, and loyalty,” the DILG said. Violators will face administrative and/or criminal cases “under pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.”
Ardent Consult backs DILG’s move, calls for multi-agency effort
Ardent Consult, an advisory and consulting firm, has expressed strong support for the DILG decision. “[DILG] Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s recent Memorandum Circular prohibiting all officials and employees within the Department, its attached agencies, and local government units ignites a broader conversation on problem gambling within government ranks — a conversation that is both necessary and overdue,” Ardent Consult said in a statement shared with SiGMA News.
“Finally, it is making sense to all — while the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) serves as the country’s gambling regulator, it cannot and should not be the sole agency tasked with addressing the issue,” the consultancy noted. “Combating problem gambling, particularly among public officials and employees, requires a coordinated effort across multiple government bodies, each with its own mandate to safeguard integrity, accountability, and public trust.”
Ethics and governance at the core of the ban
The DILG also reiterated the ethical standards outlined in the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees: “Public officials and employees shall remain true to the people at all times. They must act with justness and sincerity. They shall at all times respect the rights of others, and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety, and public interest.”
Caution against unfairly targeting regulated gaming industry
Ardent Consult also cautioned against unfairly targeting the regulated gaming industry. “It is also unfair — as reflected in various news reports — that the licensed gaming industry, and by extension PAGCOR itself, is being blamed for the misconduct of government officers and policemen who spend their time on online gambling sites. This misplaces the burden on legitimate operators who are already bound by strict compliance standards,” the consultancy said.
“The problem is not simply a matter of legal gambling; it is about ensuring that those entrusted with public service are not engaging in any form of online betting while on duty or in violation of ethical rules,” the group stressed.
Calls for broader policy discussions
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has urged the government to “declare all forms of online gambling illegal.” CBCP described it as “a deep and widespread moral crisis” affecting the country. Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a bill seeking stricter regulation of e-gambling, citing its harmful impact on families.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier said he would convene a “conclave” with the Church, educators, parents, law enforcement, and addiction experts to discuss the issue, noting that an outright ban was “not always the immediate solution.” Malacañang said the President would consider all stakeholders’ views before deciding on the matter, with Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro highlighting the need for “a comprehensive study and consultations with all affected parties before carrying out any significant policy changes.”
