As lawmakers and regulators in the Philippines move to tighten oversight of the online gambling sector, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is reportedly reviewing mounting calls for a full-scale ban. The matter is currently under careful study by the administration, according to Undersecretary Claire Castro of the Presidential Communications Office.
“Decisions like this are thoroughly studied to assess their impact on the economy and the public,” Castro was quoted as saying in a press briefing. “We cannot rush into it. Sometimes, banning legal and licensed online gaming sites results in a rise in illegal platforms, which could affect the economy even more.”
In early July, the Department of Finance floated the idea of new tax measures targeting the online gaming industry. This aligns with broader plans to boost national revenues and increase accountability among digital operators. Additionally, there were possibilities of introducing stricter regulation to digital gambling platforms. At the same time, the country’s central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), issued a new draft circular which proposes tighter controls on e-wallets and digital payment gateways used for gambling.
Growing policy divide in Philippines
This comes amid a growing policy divide that has emerged between those calling for an outright ban and others advocating for smarter, stricter regulation. Industry voices are cautioning against prohibition. Marie Antonette Quiogue, Co-Founder and CEO of Arden Consult, posted on LinkedIn that banning the activity entirely could backfire – driving it underground, weakening oversight, and undoing progress made under the current legal framework.
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) Chairman Alejandro Tengco echoed this sentiment, calling for reform rather than removal. He said this citing improved licensing processes and real-time platform monitoring as key tools in curbing abuse.
Philippine IRs address online gaming concerns
Amid the scrutiny, the country’s top three casino operators, who also run online platforms, released a joint statement affirming their compliance with regulations. In the joint statement issued on 12 July and shared with SiGMA News, the Philippines’ three integrated resorts (IRs) addressed growing criticism of online gambling in the country, particularly its impact on vulnerable sectors of society. The operators stated that their online platforms are “a regulated and responsibly managed extension of our operations—designed to complement our primary offerings.”
Public pressure, however, is mounting. Lawmakers and Church leaders have cited increased addiction rates, depleted household savings, and mental health risks as reasons to introduce tougher restrictions. Support groups for gambling addicts have emerged on platforms like Facebook and Reddit. At the same time, legislators propose bills to ban or limit access to online betting, such as raising the age limit to 21 and restricting e-wallet use.
In a significant regulatory move, the BSP unveiled a sweeping regulatory proposal aimed at curbing the financial risks associated with online gambling, as pressure mounts from lawmakers and civil society to address what many are calling a silent public health crisis. The BSP said the move is aimed at preventing digital platforms from being misused in ways that are ‘socially harmful and detrimental to financial health’. Stakeholders have been invited to submit feedback on the proposal by 25 July 2025.
