Philippine Senate begins hearings on calls for online gambling ban or stricter regulation
Lawmakers are split between prohibiting online gambling and reinforcing existing regulations.
The Philippines.- The Philippine Senate has begun assessing whether to ban online gambling entirely or introduce tighter controls. Today’s joint committee hearing saw discussion of three pending bills that propose a ban alongside two measures aimed at strengthening regulation. The latter propose measures such as restricting e-wallet use, enhancing monitoring systems and boosting coordination among regulators.
Senate majority leader Joel Villanueva described the issue as “a growing concern that we must address decisively.” Senator Pia Cayetano, who filed a bill for a ban, stated: “As chairman of the committee on ways and means, it is my hope that there will not be a need for me to call a hearing on taxation on online gambling operations because we will be banning outright.”
Industry data presented at the hearing showed online gambling revenues rose from PHP58bn (US$1bn) in 2023 to PHP154bn (US$2,7bn) in 2024. Supporters of regulation argue that this provides significant fiscal contributions and helps draw players away from unlicensed platforms, while critics say rapid expansion has outpaced enforcement capabilities.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chair Alejandro Tengco defended the framework for licensed Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGOs), citing age restrictions, identity verification, and game certification standards. However he said: “We admit that we are trying to catch up,” acknowledging that over 3,000 illegal sites remain active as of August 2025.
Meanwhile, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has ordered the removal of gambling links from e-wallet platforms within 48 hours. Senators warned of potential contempt charges if there are delays.
