TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1304
^ S>ciiatp
of tiH’ sipii rfiir^
25 AUG 28 A 9 37
RECEIVED 8V.
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 fl 16.65 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


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
Senate Bill No. I304
Senate
TiBiUtr o[ ll|f
25 AUG 28 A 9 37
RECEIVED BY.
Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 
17
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- 
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 
prohibiting online gambling and its harmful effects on families, minors 
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 plaeed 
using electronic devices.
b. Electronic wallet or e-wallet refers to an electronic instrument 
or device that ean store digital value as defined under Republic


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
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:


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
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 
(PI,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.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
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.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
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 
Act.
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of 
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) 
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,