NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
S. B. No._£3
DATE
BILLS
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING, PENALIZING THE PLACING OF WAGERS OR 
BETS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR ANY FORM OF ONLINE GAMBLING 
ACTIVITIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
"Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase
it"
1 Timothy 6:10
Given that many Filipino workers make much less than what their family 
needs, online gambling operators prey on their desperation to make ends meet The 
pull of gambling, especially over the internet, makes it more alluring for our 
kababayan who cannot help but engage in such activities desperately hoping to 
immediately win large sums of money. For those engaging in such activities, many 
risks and problems come about due to losing money again and again. With the advent 
of the internet, the risk of losing money is aggravated even more since there is 
practically unlimited access to gambling via bets through the online medium.
Online gambling platforms such as e-sabong, have demonstrated how it can 
destroy the moral fiber of our nation. While e-sabong, for a time, has been a way for 
the government to generate income, earning revenues should not come at the cost of 
exposing our countrymen, especially minors, to activities which elicit addictive 
behavior and which are associated with elevated rates of crimes, vices and mental 
health and financial problems.
Thirty-four individuals linked to e-sabong activities have gone missing, leaving 
their families in fear and despair.1 Some are also compelled to do drastic acts even to 
their families to cope with debts associated with gambling. There have been 
anecdotes of minors, with the help of others, being able to set up e-sabong accounts. 
Even more alarming were the reports of a 22-year-old mother who sold her eight- 
month-old baby for Php 45,000 so she could settle her debts due to online sabong.2 
There is also the case of a father who committed suicide when he could not pay the 
Php 600,000 debt he owed due to e-sabong, leaving behind his two young children.3
1 https://www.cnnphilippines.eom/news/2022/2/24/Pagcor-Senate-e-sabong.htm
2 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/03/08/gcash-cant-stop-e-sabong-users-pagcor-asked-to-do-so/
3 https://manilastandard.net/news/national/371030/lacson-alarmed-over-gambling-related-suicide.html


The World Health Organization [WHO] has consistently warned that addictive 
behaviors, like gambling, have devastating effects on individuals, families and their 
communities and have enormous socioeconomic impacts at national and global 
levels. Easier access to gambling through online platforms has only exacerbated this 
problem. Instead of promoting financial success, gambling has destroyed lives, 
families, and communities. While the government is able to gain a few billions of 
revenues per year, thousands of our countrymen, many of whom are poor, spend 
trillions of pesos on gambling.4
Apart from financial harm, there is a growing body of research linking 
gambling to mental health problems, particularly to higher rates of depression, 
increased risk of suicide ideation and attempts, and higher anxiety. The gambling- 
related burden of harm was 2.5 times more than diabetes and 3.0 times more than 
drug use disorder.5 Gambling disorder [then referred to as pathological gambling] 
has in fact been included in the WHO's International Statistical Classification of 
Diseases and Related Health Problems since 1975. In addition, studies have shown 
strong associations between gambling and substance use: at-risk and problem 
gamblers had higher rates of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use.6
Problem gambling is statistically significantly associated with elevated rates of 
crime. Gambling can be penetrated by criminal organizations, and in the case of 
gambling addiction, can provoke criminal activity. As access to money becomes more 
limited, gamblers often resort to crime in order to pay debts, appease debtors, 
maintain appearances, and garner more money to gamble.7
In May 2022, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte heeded the call of the people to 
suspend the operation of e-sabong in our country as it goes against our values as a 
nation. Although this has been suspended, we believe it is imperative that we remain 
vigilant in ensuring that this evil does not return.
It is our moral obligation to prevent the disintegration of our values as a people. 
More importantly, it is our duty as God-fearing people to raise future generations in a 
morally upright environment, and to protect them from the evils and dangers that 
come with gambling, greed, and all the other vices that go along with it.
For these reasons, the swift passage of the foregoing measure is earnestly
sought.
ALAN PETER "COMPANERO” S. CAYETANO
4https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/alcohol-drugs-and-addictive- 
behaviours/adab-forum
5https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/substance-use/the-epidemiology-and-impact-of-gambling-
disorder-and-other-gambling-relate-harm.pdf
6https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/substance-use/the-epidemiology-and-impact-of-gambling-
disorder-and-other-gambling-relate-harm.pdf
7 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 1999. Pathological Gambling: A Critical Review. 
Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, https://doi.org/10.17226/6329.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
S.B. No._£3
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER <COMPANERO,, S. CAYETANO
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AN ACT
PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING, PENALIZING THE PLACING OF WAGERS OR 
BETS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR ANY FORM OF ONLINE GAMBLING 
ACTIVITIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
Act".
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Online Gambling
SECTION 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. Through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full 
employment, and a commitment to create economic opportunities, the State shall free 
the people from poverty.
The 1987 Constitution states that workers shall be entitled to security of 
tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They have the right to be 
treated with dignity. 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.
SECTION 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. ) "Bet" or "Wager" refers 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.


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cj "Internet Gambling" or "Online Gambling" refers 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.
SECTION 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, at least 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 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, 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 any election.
SECTION 5. Repeal of Authority to Regulate Online Gambling. - All laws, 
decrees, executive orders, rules 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 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,