Anti-online Gambling Act of 2025

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL -7 A8.47 SENATE AGOR S. No. 142 Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI AN ACT PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Online gambling addiction among minors has become a pressing concern in recent years. Reports revealed that individuals- including children aged 17 and below-are spending thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of pesos on online betting platforms. In a news report, it was even disclosed that minors can easily conceal their identities and log-in to online betting sites, with one saying, "Sa online, madali lang. Madali lang ang pekehen kung sino ka, kung saan ka or kung ilang taon ka nal." This issue is further exacerbated by rapid technological advancements and the lax identity verification systems of online platforms. The lapses on the implementation of rules and regulations of such institutions allow users, particularly minors, to easily fake their personal information, granting them unrestricted access to gambling websites and applications. Consequently, children are prematurely exposed to the societal ill of addiction. Psychologists and behavioral experts have raised concerns over what they consider a "silent epidemic of gambling addiction among the youth?. Some cases have documented minors incurring debts amounting to hundreds of thousands of pesos due to unregulated online gambling access. Though we have banned the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO), a more dangerous and fearsome potential social menace continues to lurk in our shores and threaten the lives and well-being of our citizens, particularly our youth and vulnerable sectors. This is the online gambling which caters to our citizens.

This proposed measure seeks to ban online gambling through the use of mobile gadgets, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, personal computers and other gadgets to protect our citizens, especially the youth and vulnerable sectors from the negative and evil effects of online gambling. This measure is grounded in the State's Constitutional mandate to protect our youth as enshrined in Section 13, Article II of the 1987 Constitution which states, " The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs." We strongly believe that without immediate and concrete legislative intervention, the issue will continue to worsen and affect more Filipino youth. In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -7 A8:47 SENATE S. No. 112 Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI AN ACT PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE PHILIPPINES 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-Online Gambling

Act of 2025".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Section 12, Article II of the

5 Constitution which states that "The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall 6 protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution", as well as

Section 13 of the same Article which states that "The State recognizes the vital role of

the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being", it is the policy of the State to protect the moral, intellectual, psychological, and emotional development of its citizens, especially children and vulnerable sectors, from the effects of online gambling. To this end, online gambling in the Philippines is hereby banned and declared unlawful.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act:

a. Internet refers to an international computer network of interoperable packet- switched data networks. It includes the electronic medium in which online communication takes place. b. Internet applications refer to software and tools that enable users to access and utilize the internet's functionalities.

c. Online gambling refers to any form of placing, receiving, or otherwise knowingly transmitting a bet or wager by any means which involves the use, in whole or in part, of the internet. d. Gambling Operator refers to any person, entity, or company authorized to offer gambling services. e. Advertising includes all forms of promotion, marketing, sponsorships, endorsements, or public display of online gambling content through digital platforms and physical media. f. Internet Service Providers or ISPs- refers to 1. Any public or private entity that provides to users of its service the ability to communicate by means of a computer system; and 2. Any other entity that processes or stores computer data on behalf of such communication service or its users. g. Digital platforms refer to information and communication technology- enabled mechanisms that connect and integrate producers and users in online environments where goods and services are requested, developed, and sold, and data is generated and exchanged such as, but not limited to, e- marketplace, mobile application platforms, online delivery platforms, social media platforms, and travel platforms; and h. Electronic wallet (e-wallet) service provider refers to an entity that provides electronic money issuance or digital wallet services by storing monetary value electronically in an instrument or device, making it widely acceptable for payments and withdrawable in cash or cash equivalent, and which is registered or licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as an Electronic Money Issuer or Operator of a Payment System which shall include credit card companies.

SEC. 4. Prohibited Acts. - Online gambling is prohibited and declared unlawful

in the Philippines, as such it shall be prohibited for any person or entity to conduct or offer online gambling as defined under this law. This prohibition shall include but not limited to the following activities: a. Establishment, operation, or conduct of online gambling in the Philippines which shall cover those off-shore or foreign operated digital gambling platforms or applications; b. Acceptance of any form of betting or wager by digital gambling platforms or applications through online; c. Facilitating and use of electronic wallet or e-wallet and other digital payment systems for online gambling; and

d. Advertising through traditional media, online and social media including posts of content creators, vloggers and influencers which promote online gambling and specific digital gambling platforms. Any gambling operator, media provider, advertising agency, or other entity 6 found in violation of this provision shall be subject to the penalties outlined under

Section 6 of this Act.

SEC. 5. Obligations of Internet Service Providers, Mobile Network Operators,

and Digital Platforms. - To ensure effective implementation of this Act and limit public access to online gambling platforms and applications, all Internet Service Providers (ISPs), mobile telecommunications providers, digital applications, and similar platforms operating within the Philippines shall have the following obligations: a. Website Blocking - ISPs and mobile providers shall, upon order of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) or the Department of Justice - Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC), block access to all local or foreign-based online gambling websites and platforms operating in violation of this Act or existing laws. b. Application Removal - Digital application distribution platforms, including application stores and mobile marketplaces, shall immediately remove or disable access to all gambling-related applications. C. Mandatory Response Period - All take-down, blocking, or removal requests issued by PAGCOR or the DOJ-OOC shall be acted upon within seventy-two (72) hours from official receipt. Failure to comply within this period shall constitute a violation subject to enforcement under Section 6 of this Act. d. Reporting and Compliance Mechanism - All covered entities shall maintain a mechanism for regular reporting to PAGCOR detailing the number of blocked websites, removed applications, and pending takedown requests. Such reports shall be submitted on a quarterly basis or as required under the implementing rules and regulations. e. Penalties for Non-Compliance - Failure to comply with the obligations under this Section may result in administrative penalties including fines, suspension of licenses, and, where applicable, revocation of authority to operate digital or telecommunication services in the Philippines.

SEC. 6. Penalties. - Any person, entity, gambling operator and digital payment

systems found violating any provision of Sections 4 and 5 of this Act shall be subject to the following penalties to be imposed by the PAGCOR after due notice and hearing:

a. First Offense - a fine of not less than Twenty Million Pesos (Php20,000,000.00) and suspension of license for six (6) months; b. Second Offense - a fine of not less than Fifty Million Pesos (50,000,000.00) or a suspension of license for one (1) year; and c. Third and Succeeding Offenses - aside from the administrative penalties of a fine of not less than One Hundred Million Pesos (Php100,000,000.00) and permanent revocation of its license or permit to operate that PAGCOR may impose, the offender may be subjected to criminal prosecution under this Act, and the Chief Operating Officer or President of the company shall be penalized with imprisonment of not more than six (6) years by the court. =

SEC. 7. PAGCOR as Lead Agency. - PAGCOR shall be the lead agency to

effectively implement the provisions and purposes of this Act. Further, to complement regulatory efforts and mitigate the social and psychological harms of gambling, PAGCOR, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), shall implement the following programs: a. National Information and Awareness Campaigns - PAGCOR shall lead annual nationwide information campaigns focused on the risks of gambling addiction, particularly among minors and vulnerable populations. These campaigns shall utilize print, broadcast, and digital media, including social media platforms, to educate the public on the warning signs of gambling problems and promote responsible gambling behaviors. b. Curriculum Integration and Digital Literacy - The DepEd, in consultation with PAGCOR and relevant stakeholders, shall develop and integrate age- appropriate digital literacy modules into the K-12 curriculum. These modules shall include content on the nature and risks of gambling, media and advertising literacy, and healthy online behaviors. c. Community-Based Counseling and Support Services - The DOH and the DSWD, in partnership with local government units (LGUs), shall establish and operate community-level hotlines, help centers, and referral systems for individuals and families affected by gambling addiction. These services shall be staffed by trained professionals and accessible free of charge to the public. d. Program Funding and Monitoring - PAGCOR shall allocate a portion of its annual gross revenues to support the development, implementation, and monitoring of the above-mentioned programs. An annual report on the status, reach, and impact of these initiatives shall be submitted to Congress by PAGCOR.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Philippine Amusement and

Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), in coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Department of Justice (DOJ, shall formulate and issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders,

proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended, accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

17 publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,