Cebu City gambling ad ban faces online enforcement hurdles
The proposed gambling advertising ban faces questions over online enforcement and the treatment of promotions authorised under national law.
The Philippines.- Cebu City’s proposed ordinance to ban gambling advertisements continues to raise questions about enforcement. The Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) has warned that enforcing the measure for online ads could be difficult when platforms or advertisers are based outside the city. It said coordination with national agencies such as the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Philippine National Police could be required.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has recommended limiting the ordinance to gambling advertisements physically displayed, published or conducted within Cebu City. It also proposed exempting promotions expressly authorised by national law or regulators such as PAGCOR.
The City Legal Office had previously raised similar concerns, recommending that restrictions on digital advertising focus on paid commercial promotions by entities within the city’s regulatory authority.
The city is reviewing the proposed definition of gambling, including whether bingo and charitable bingo activities involving cash prizes would be covered, and must clarify the ordinance’s scope.
