The Philippine government has taken a major step in its broader crackdown on online gambling by announcing that TikTok, a video-sharing platform, will stop running any ads for Real Money Gambling (RMG) in the nation.
The policy will go into effect on 22 August 2025, according to confirmation from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Officials called the move a “major boost” to government efforts to shield internet users, especially young people, from predatory online behavior.
A government priority
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said TikTok’s move followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that the country’s digital landscape is safe, affordable, and responsible.
“It is significant for global platforms like TikTok to support the government’s digital safety efforts,” Aguda said, stressing that halting RMG advertisements will help shield the public, especially minors, from gambling risks.
The announcement comes as debate over online gambling continues in Philippines, which has expanded rapidly through social media, e-commerce, and messaging applications. Authorities say that gambling advertisements have become a source of concern due to their accessibility to vulnerable groups, including the youth.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, a vocal critic of unregulated gambling platforms, recently warned that operators were embedding their services in widely used apps such as Viber and Telegram, as well as shopping sites like Lazada. He described the practice as “malicious and predatory” and urged regulators to take swift action.
E-wallets cut ties with operators
The TikTok decision also follows earlier measures by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The central bank has ordered banks and e-wallet platforms to remove gambling-related links. The directive, issued on 14 August 2025, applied to both payment apps operated by banks and third-party digital wallet services.
Senator Win Gatchalian welcomed the move but cautioned that more comprehensive safeguards are needed. He has since filed legislation to strengthen online gambling regulations, citing growing evidence that gambling contributes to crime, mental health issues, and family breakdowns.
Authorities have expressed particular concern that mobile phones and digital apps are increasingly being misused as gambling hubs. Officials say the sector is exploiting loopholes, embedding gambling services in everyday platforms used by millions of Filipinos.
Rising scrutiny from regulators
As the hearings in the Senate committee proceed, the committee is now preparing to summon representatives from banks, e-wallet firms, telecommunications providers, and the BSP to elucidate why gambling-related transactions persist despite ongoing enforcement measures. This development indicates increasing scrutiny of the country’s digital gambling ecosystem. Officials argue that online gambling, along with scams and misinformation, poses a serious threat to the country’s digital future.
With TikTok’s agreement to stop gambling adverts, regulators see a significant step forward. But officials and lawmakers insist that tighter laws and stronger enforcement still remain essential to prevent the country’s digital landscape from being overtaken by unregulated betting platforms.
