SENATORS lauded the recent actions of several government agencies in combating the proliferation of online gambling, expressing strong support for efforts to curb its negative impacts and advocating for a complete ban.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian hailed the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for implementing stricter payment rules for online gambling transactions, calling the move a “monumental step” in protecting Filipinos from addiction and financial ruin.
Gatchalian highlighted the new safeguards—daily transaction caps, time limits, and biometric verification—as crucial steps in aligning with the Senate’s efforts to curb the rise of online gambling, particularly among young people. He continues to push for a bill that would completely prohibit online gambling, mandating registration of operators with the Anti-Money Laundering Council and incorporating consumer protection measures.
Senator Pia Cayetano also voiced her strong support, praising the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for its directives to social media influencers to remove gambling-related content and its collaboration with digital platforms to ensure compliance.
Cayetano welcomed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) decision to remove all gambling-related billboards and advertisements nationwide, describing it as a necessary step to reduce aggressive marketing targeting vulnerable youth.
She characterized online gambling as a “silent epidemic,” highlighting its insidious spread into homes, schools, and workplaces, affecting students, employees, and families.
Cayetano has also filed a bill to ban all forms of online gambling, restrict its promotion on social media, block e-wallet transactions related to gambling, and implement public education campaigns on the risks of gambling. The coordinated efforts of various government agencies demonstrate a concerted approach to tackling the growing problem of online gambling in the Philippines.
