Senator Migz Zubiri wants to ban all online gambling in the Philippines through his proposed “Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025.” He calls it a “silent epidemic” affecting minors and vulnerable people. The bill will ban gambling websites and apps, and require internet providers and telcos to block them within 72 hours. Payment services like GCash and credit cards cannot process gambling payments. Ads and promotions for online gambling will also be banned. Violators face huge fines, suspension, license cancellation, and jail time. Zubiri said the ban is urgent as even children are getting addicted to online gambling.
The proposed measure prohibits all forms of online gambling in the country, not just simple regulation. This includes digital betting platforms, mobile applications and websites that allow users to place wagers through phones, tablets and computers.
Under the bill, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), mobile network operators and digital platforms are mandated to block access to gambling websites and remove related apps within 72 hours upon notice from the Department of Justice or PAGCOR.
Failure to act promptly may result in fines, license suspension or even revocation of their authority to operate.
Digital wallets and payment service providers such as credit cards, GCash, Paymaya and others are also barred from facilitating transactions related to online gambling.
Any entity that aids in placing bets, promoting gambling content or advertising betting sites – whether through traditional media, social media or influencer marketing – will be held liable.
“Ang dami nating nakikitang ads ng online casino sa ating mga payment wallets. Ineendorso pa ng mga sikat na artista. Yung mga memes ng tinatawag nilang ‘scatter,’ makikita mo sa social media. These memes make a parody of people losing a lot of money in online gambling,” Zubiri noted.
“Ang kawawa dito ay hindi lamang yung mga adults na nalululong sa bisyo. Kasama pati ang ating mga kabataan. Children are learning to lie, to steal, to cheat just to fund their next bet,” the former Senate President stressed.
“Ang masakit dito, mga bata na ang nahuhumaling. Madali para sa kanila na magpanggap ng edad, gumawa ng fake account at makapasok sa mga site na ito. There is something inherently wrong with the system, that is why I filed this measure to put an end to this once and for all,” Zubiri stated.
with text, info from Senate of the Phils FB page
