Senators want stricter regulation of online gambling

MANILA, Philippines — Senators are calling for stricter government regulations of online gambling, warning that, despite new restrictions, operators could still find ways to reach the public through e-wallet services.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said gaming industry regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) needs to ensure financial technology firms are compliant with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ order to delink their platforms from gambling sites, saying enforcement should be permanent and comprehensive.

“While GCash and Maya have pledged to comply with the BSP directive to unlink from online gambling sites, I urge PAGCOR and the BSP to ensure that these sites are fully and permanently disconnected from all e-wallet services. The government and the public must remain vigilant as many non-accredited online gambling providers still exist, and they can find workarounds to existing regulations,” Gatchalian said yesterday.

“This is not a simple matter of regulation; it is the government’s duty and responsibility to ensure the protection of each Filipino against any danger that destroys their way of life,” he said in Filipino.

For his part, Sen. Bam Aquino welcomed the BSP directive, but maintained his position that a full prohibition on e-gambling remains necessary.

“We are happy that BSP itself is saying to delink e-wallets from e-gambling sites. We welcome this development and urge e-wallet providers to decouple from online gambling entirely,” Aquino said, noting that the directive could significantly weaken the industry.

“When this happens, online gambling will weaken in our country, but we are really looking for a total ban. I think PAGCOR and the President have big decisions to make,” he added.

The BSP gave e-wallet companies 48 hours to remove icons and links to gambling platforms on the morning the Senate committee on games and amusements was to hold its hearing on online gambling measures in the chamber on Thursday. Both GCash and Maya said they would comply.

Aquino also renewed criticism of PAGCOR’s regulations, pointing out what he called a double standard: banning gambling establishments within 300 meters of schools and churches, while allowing mobile gambling apps that are “three centimeters” from a user.

“That’s absurdity,” he said.

Aquino and other senators had earlier backed Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri’s privilege speech highlighting the negative impact of online gambling on Filipino families.