Senate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE as Office of the geertarp REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AUG 28 A9:37 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY. SENATE Senate Bill No. 1304 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Online gambling has significantly expanded with digital technology, with advertisements now widespread across social media and major billboards. The accessibility of smartphones and e-wallets has made gambling more convenient, exposing minors, families, and vulnerable sectors to its harmful social consequences. Despite PAGCOR's projected P116.65 billion revenue this year from the rapid expansion of online gambling, the rise in gambling addiction has become so severe that it should now be regarded as a national crisis. This bill seeks to ban all types of online gambling and to impose sanctions on those involved, including operators, developers, advertisers, financial service providers, and/or bettors. All assets and proceeds derived from online gambling shall be forfeited to the State and utilized to establish a Fund for Rural Development, which will support infrastructure, livelihood, and community-based projects in rural areas.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. ERWIN T. TULFO
Denate Difice of the seccrriap TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUG 28 A9:37 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY SENATE Senate Bill No. 1304 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-
2 Online Gambling Act. "
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to
promote moral values, public order, and the general welfare by 6 prohibiting online gambling and its harmful effects on families, minors 7 and vulnerable sectors.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act:
a. Online gambling refers to any form of gambling conducted on the internet, including but not limited to casino games, sports betting, sabong, and/or lottery, wherein wagers are placed using electronic devices. b. Electronic wallet or e-wallet refers to an electronic instrument or device that can store digital value as defined under Republic
Act No. 10210 or the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA). c. Institutions refers to banks, non-banks, other financial institutions, payments and financial services providers under the jurisdiction of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as defined under Republic Act No. 10210 or the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA). d. Person includes natural and juridical persons, including operators, facilitators, agents, institutions, and/or bettors.
SEC. 4. Prohibited Acts. - All forms of online gambling are
strictly prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person, whether natural or juridical, to directly or indirectly: a. Operate, develop, distribute, sale, or lease of any software, mobile application, website, or digital platform designed or made for the purpose of conducting, or facilitating online gambling activities. b. Place bets or participate on any online gambling activities. c. Publish, advertise, campaign or promote online gambling activities through websites, social media platforms, or any other online medium. d. Facilitating financial transactions related to online gambling activities including deposit, withdrawal, or transfers made through the use of e-wallets, online banking, or other digital payment systems or technologies.
SEC. 5. Penalties. - Without prejudice to other existing laws, the
following acts shall be penalized:
a. Any person found violating Section 3(a) shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than ten (10) years but not more than twelve (12) years or a fine of not less than Two Million Pesos (P2,000,000), or both at the discretion of the court. b. Any person found guilty of violating Section 3(b) shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not more than eight (8) years or a fine less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000), or both at the discretion of the court. c. Any person found guilty of violating Section 3(c) shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than four (4) years but not more than six (6) years but not more than eight (years or a fine of not less than One Million Pesos (P1,000,000), or both, at the discretion of the court. d. Any person found violating Section 3(d) shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than four (4) years but not more than six (6) years or a fine of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000), or both, at the discretion of the court.
SEC. 6. Comprehensive Ban on Online Gambling Activities - The
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), shall enforce a nationwide ban on all illegal online gambling and related activities. The following measures shall be undertaken: a. PAGCOR shall coordinate with law enforcement agencies to report any person, group, or entity found to be operating in violation of the provisions of this Act.
b. DICT shall immediately block access to all local or foreign- based online gambling websites, applications, and platforms operating in violation of this Act. c. BSP shall direct financial institutions under its supervision to monitor, prevent, and block financial transactions related to illegal online gambling activities. d. NBI and PNP shall intensify surveillance, investigation, and enforcement operations to identify, apprehend, and prosecute violators. Any government official or employee of the agencies mandated under this Section who, through willful neglect, gross inaction, or undue delay, fails to enforce the measures shall be held administratively and, when applicable, criminally liable under existing laws.
SEC. 7. Fund for Rural Development. - Upon the effectivity of
this Act, all proceeds, assets, equipment, and instruments derived from or used in online gambling operations shall be deemed forfeited in favor of the State and shall constitute a Fund for Rural Development. The Fund shall be administered by the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), National Electrification Administration (NEA) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA). It shall be utilized exclusively for rural infrastructure projects, livelihood and capacity- building programs for farmers and fisherfolk, and other community- based development initiatives in rural areas. The Fund shall be subject to audit by the Commission on Audit, and the administering agencies shall submit an annual report to Congress detailing its utilization, status, and impact on rural development.
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30)
days from the approval of this Act, the Department of Justice (DOJ), in coordination with the BSP, DICT and PAGCOR, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this 5 Act.
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of
8 this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executives orders,
issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 18 newspapers of general circulation. Approved,