Philippines senator proposes penalties for online gambling content

Senator Robin C. Padilla wants to penalise the publication and promotion of gambling-related content online.

The Philippines.- Senator Robin C. Padilla has introduced Bill No. 2602 which seeks to penalise the dissemination of gambling-related material on digital platforms. The bill would prohibit online content containing gambling instructions, demonstrations, commentary and advertisements.

Under the provisions of the bill, the Department of Justice (DOJ) would be able to issue disabling orders to block access to online gambling-related content. Service providers would be required to comply with these orders within 48 hours. Violators could face fines of up to PHP500,000 and imprisonment for up to one year. People found linking prohibited content or receiving commissions for such activities could face imprisonment for up to three years and additional fines. 

Padilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, said there was a need to address the proliferation of online content promoting gambling.