Anti-online Gambling Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL -2 P5:31 First Regular Session BECA - = SENATE Senate Bill No.. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING AND THE PLACING OF WAGERS OR BETS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR ANY FORM OF ONLINE GAMBLING ACTIVITIES, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Gambling has posed a serious threat to the welfare and security of Filipinos. People are not just putting their money at stake but are also risking their future and lives to addiction. More alarmingly, the involvement of individuals in gambling has, in many instances, escalated into criminal behavior. In particular, the presence and operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOS) have been linked to a range of serious crimes, including financial fraud, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and even murder. * Gambling has not only endangered the lives of individuals but has also undermined public safety and the rule of law. Because of this, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 74, which imposes an effective ban on all POGO, Internet Gaming, and other Offshore Gaming Operations in the country.? However, online gambling remains accessible to the local population. Its presence continues to grow in the online space, infiltrating digital platforms used frequently by ordinary individuals. This includes the GCash app, one of the country's most popular mobile payment apps. With over 90 million users, the app has made 1 BBC. Philippines bans online casinos linked to scam centres. Published on 23 July 2024. Available at https://www.bbc.com/news/ articles/crgm1k01kdyo (Accessed on 15 May 2025). 2 Presidential Communications Office. PBBM orders immediate ban against all PH POGO operations. Published on 8 November 2024. Available at https://pco.gov.ph/news_releases/pbbm-orders- immediate-ban-against-all-ph-pogo-operations/ (Accessed on 16 May 2025).

gambling more accessible than ever and has become a portal that connects users to online gambling platforms and sports betting sites. 3 The integration of online gambling into various platforms and websites has enabled it to gain wider traction and reach a broader audience in an effort to attract more users. Alarmingly, many of these platforms are frequented by minors, putting them at risk of early exposure to gambling and potential addiction. Gambling not only affects the person who gambles but also their family, friends, workplaces, and communities." For instance, there have been reports of suicide, crimes, disappearances, and family breakdown due to debts incurred and accumulated because of e-sabong. Thus, it is imperative to view with caution the harms associated with gambling in light of mounting evidence and past incidents that demonstrate the severe risks it poses to the lives of Filipinos and to the nation's overall security and stability. 5 This bill seeks to prohibit online gambling and the placing of wagers or bets through the internet or any form of online gambling activities, while encouraging job- seeking and employment as means to earn money; protect individuals, especially the youth, from addiction; safeguard the nation from crimes; and save lives. Thus, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. JOEL VILLANUEVA 9 3 Rest of the World. The most popular payment app in the Philippines has a side bet: online gambling. Published on 16 October 2024. Available at https://restofworld. org/2024/philippines-gcash-online- gambling-addiction/ (Accessed on 16 May 2025). 4 Philstar. E-sabong's social impact. Published on 14 April 2022. Available at https://www.philstar. com/the-freeman/opinion/2022/04/14/2174427/e-sabongs-social-impact (Accessed on 16 May

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -2?5:31 RECAL: SENATE Senate Bill No. _ Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING AND THE PLACING OF WAGERS OR BETS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR ANY FORM OF ONLINE GAMBLING ACTIVITIES, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Online

Gambling Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote

a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies 6 that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising 7 standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. It is also the policy of the State to guarantee the right of the workers to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. Towards this end, the State shall adopt measures to eliminate and prohibit all forms of online gambling activities as it undermines the value of an individual's dignified work by allowing reckless and risky expenditures at the possibility of instant monetary gain which have led many Filipinos to experience dire financial situations.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following

terms are hereby defined as follows:

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) Betor Wagerrefers to taking or risking by any person of something of value upon the outcome of a contest of others, a sporting event, or a game subject to chance, upon an agreement or understanding that the person or another person will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome; Internet Gambling or Online Gambling refers to 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.

SEC. 4. Prohibition on Online Gambling and Similar Acts. - Any

person who shall place, receive, or otherwise knowingly transmit a bet or wager by any means which involves the use, in whole or in part, of the internet shall be punished by an imprisonment ranging from one (1) month to six (6) months or a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP 100,000.00) nor more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP 500,000.00), at the discretion of the court. If the offender is a corporation, partnership, or association, the maximum penalty of five (5) years and the fine of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP 500,000.00) shall be imposed upon the President, Director/s, Manager, or Managing Partner/s and/or responsible officer/s thereof. If the offender is a public officer or employee, or if such public officer or employee promotes, encourages, aids or abets the promotion or conduct of online gambling, the maximum penalty prescribed for the offense shall be imposed. In addition, they shall be dismissed from the public service and shall suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding any public office under the Republic of the Philippines.

SEC. 5. Repeal of Authority to Regulate Online Gambling. - All

general and special laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations,

which were made or are interpreted to give legal authority to permit and regulate any forms of online gambling are hereby repealed.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30)

days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Justice, in consultation with the appropriate government agencies and other stakeholders, shall jointly promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be held

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

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, and

rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) day

after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,