Anti-online Gambling Act of 2025

Offier st TWENTIETH CONGRESS ) 25 JUL 16 P4:17 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) RICEWES 3 SENATE S. No. Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT PROHIBITING THE OPERATION AND CONDUCT OF ONLINE GAMBLING ACTIVITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES EXPLANATORY NOTE The 1987 Constitution recognizes the role of the State in promoting a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services and economic opportunities. Additionally, the exercise of the State's police power allows it to restrict activities deemed injurious to public morals, safety, and order. Online gambling, by its very nature, preys on the vulnerable, erodes family values, and poses risks to financial integrity, particularly when left unregulated or inadequately controlled. In recent years, gambling has become increasingly accessible and dangerously normalized in the Philippines. The emergence of online gambling platforms, ranging from e-casino and card games targeted at adults, to mobile gambling platforms that lure the youth, has dramatically increased the number of Filipinos exposed to gambling. The growth of online gambling has given rise to a wave of gambling-related addiction, financial distress, and even criminal activity. Cases involving unpaid digital loans used for gambling, increased mental health issues, and targeting of minors through

mobile applications have prompted alarm among regulatory bodies. This bill therefore seeks to declare all forms of online gambling illegal and impose clear and substantial penalties on individuals and entities who conduct online gambling. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO

TWENTIETH CONGRESS ) • P4:17 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) JUL 16 First Regular Session RECEIVES BY SENATE S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT PROHIBITING THE OPERATION AND CONDUCT OF ONLINE GAMBLING ACTIVITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES 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

2 Act of 2025"

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote a just

5 and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation. 6 Through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, and a 7 commitment to create economic opportunities, the State shall free the people from poverty. Thus, the State shall adopt measures to eliminate and prohibit all forms of online gambling

SECTION 3. Prohibition on Online Gambling and Similar Acts. - Upon the effectivity

of this Act, it shall be prohibited for any person or entity to conduct or offer online gambling. Online gambling shall refer to placing, receiving, or otherwise knowingly transmitting a bet or wager by any means which involves the use, at least in part, of the internet. The prohibition includes the following:

(a) Establishing, operating or conducting online gambling in the Philippines; (b) Accepting any form of betting for online gambling operations; (c) Distributing information online, in whole or in part, on placing, receiving, or otherwise knowingly transmitting a bet or wager by any means; and (d) Advertising or publicizing gambling activities online to an individual, group, or the general public, or promote awareness of the gambling activities.

SECTION 4. Penalties. - Any person who violates Section 3 of this Act shall be

9 punished by an imprisonment ranging from one (1) month to six (6) months or a fine of 10 not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) nor more than Five Hundred 11 Thousand Pesos (Php500,000.00) at the discretion of the court. If the offender is a corporation or association, the maximum penalty of five (5) 13 years and the fine of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php500,000.00) shall be imposed 14 upon the President, Director, Manager or Managing partners thereof. If the offender is a public officer or employee, or if a public officer or employee promotes or encourages online gambling, the maximum penalty prescribed for the offense shall be imposed and, in addition, he shall be dismissed from the public service and perpetually disqualified from holding any public office, to vote and to participate in 19 any election.

SECTION 5. Repeal of Authority to Regulate Online Gambling. - All laws, decrees,

executive orders, ruies and regulations, which are interpreted to give legal authority to regulate any forms of online gambling are hereby repealed.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from

the approval of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Secretary of the Department of Justice shall jointly promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this measure.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

regulations or parts thereof contrary to, or inconsistent with this Act are hereby modified or repealed accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

6 publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. Approved,