Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILLNo. 2129

Introduced by Representative LEILA M. DE LIMA

AN ACT
PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article 11, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitutions provides that ‘[{]he State shall
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 that
provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living,
and an improved quality of life for all.”

Section 13 of the same article 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.”

As online gambling has become easier to access and has been promoted by
numerous influencers and celebrities, many have become addicted including minors;
relationships were ruined; many fell into debt; and livelihoods, health and education
were neglected. Worse, addiction to online gambling could also lead to road accidents
as there are already reported incidents of Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers who play
while driving.

With these harmful and damaging effects, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) has strongly urged government to outlaw all forms of online
gambling calling it “a deep and widespread moral crisis" affecting the country."

No less than President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. acknowledges that
online gambling is destroying families as it has become more accessible to Filipinos

* Lagarde, Roy. (18 July 2025). CBCP head rejects Pagcor defense of online gambling. Retrieved
from https:/icbcpnews.neticbcpnews/cbcp-head-rejects-pagcor-defense-of-online-gambling/.


because of technology and digitalization.? But according to Executive Secretary Lucas
Bersamin, the government is still reviewing the broader implications of banning all
forms of online gambling amid reports that many Filipinos have fallen into financial ruin
due to “gambling addiction.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chair and CEO
Alejandro Tengco, on the other hand, has opposed the total ban on online gaming,
stressing that the government ears billions from this.*

However, the government's earnings from online gambling are worthless if they
come at the cost of ruining Filipino families, mental health of many individuals, the
future of our youth, and the moral fiber of our nation. As CBCP President Cardinal
Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David said, “the social ills brought by online gambling far
outweigh the supposed billions of revenues it brings into goverment coffers.">

This Representation believes that it will also be dificult to regulate online
gambling as Filipinos, especially the youth, have easy access to technology and digital
applications catering to these games. As to the concem that implementing a total ban
‘on online gambling would likely drive the industry underground, this measure aims to
mandate relevant government agencies to conduct an all-out crackdown on illegal
platforms and activities related to online gamblings, similar to what we did to Philippine
Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

This proposed legislation seeks to prohibit online gambling in the country

Similar measures were filed by Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda,
Raffy Tulfo, Joel Villanueva, Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano in the Senate,
and Rep. Bienvenido Abante, Jr. in the House of Representatives.

Clearly, online gambling is a growing menace that should be stopped and
banned immediately.

The urgent passage of this bill is eamestly sought.
a al fae
ded MDE LIMA

2 Flores, Helen. (21 July 2025). Online gambling ruins families, says President Marcos. The Philippine
Star. Retrieved from https:/www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/07/2 1/2459503/online-gambling-ruins-
families-says-president-marcos/ampy.

3 Esguerra, Darry John. (20 July 2025). Palace still weighing online gambling ban. Philippine News
‘Agency. Retrieved from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1254691

“Salcedo, Mary Joy. (8 July 2025). Pagcor wants tighter control, not total ban, on online gambling
Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved from https://newsinfo. inquirer net/2079743/pagcor-wants-tighter-
control-not-total-ban-on-online-gambling,

5 Cabalza, Dexter. (21 July 2025). Church stands firm vs online gambling, insists on total ban.
Philippine Daily inquirer. Retrieved from https://newsinfo. inquirer. nev/2084652/church-stands-firm-vs-
‘online-gambling-insists-on-total-ban/amp.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2 129

Introduced by Representative LEILA M. DE LIMA

AN ACT
PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled.

CHAPTER!
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Online or E-
Gambling Act’.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The Constitution mandates the protection of
life, dignity, rights and welfare of the Filipino people.

Article II, Section 13 of the Constitution provides 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.”

With these fundamental principles, it is hereby declared the policy of the State
to ban all forms of online gambling. The State shall address and promote awareness
on the risks of online gambling and its detrimental effects to families, minors, students
and vulnerable sectors.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — The following terms are hereby defined, as
follows:

a) Internet refers to a global computer network, consisting of interconnected
networks, providing online information and communication facilities;

b) Intemet Service Providers (ISPs) refers to any public or private entity that
provides access to the internet or computer system;

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©) 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;

a. 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; and

b. Electronic wallet (2-wallet) 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 Act. This prohibition shall include but is
not limited to the following activities:

a) Establishment, operation, maintenance or facilitation of online gambling
platforms;

b) Promotion, advertisement, endorsement, or distribution of materials for
‘online gambling in traditional media and digital platforms including social
media, mobile apps, websites or other internet-based communication
channels;

°)

Processing or enabling online payments, electronic wallets, fund transfers,
or withdrawals or other digital payments connected to online gambling. E-
wallets and mobile applications are prohibited from linking to online
gambling platforms;

d)

Providing access to online gambling sites or apps via internet services or
digital platforms;

e)

Creation, selling, or distribution of any software or codes designed for online
gambling;

f) Participating in any online gambling activity as a player, bettor or source of
funding

SEC. 5 Obligations of the State, Public Authorities and Private Entities. — Public

authorities and private entities shall take all necessary measures to ensure the total
prohibition of online gambling and other related unlawful activities. These measures
shall include but are not limited to:

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a) The National Bureau of Investigation, in coordination with the Philippine
National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group, the Department of
Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and PAGCOR,
shall implement an all-out crackdown on all illegal online gambling and
related activities. PAGCOR shall coordinate with law enforcement
agencies to report individuals or entities found to be operating in
circumvention of the provisions of this Act;

b) PAGCOR, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd),
the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD), and other government agencies, in collaboration
with relevant civil society organizations including those from the youth
sector and health advocates, shall conduct regular national awareness
campaigns in traditional media and all digital platforms to promote and
adequately provide crucial information on the risks, conflicts and
detrimental effects of online gambling;

¢)

The DepEd shall develop and integrate education on the risks of
gambling and digital literacy as an obligatory curriculum. This shall
include content on the nature of online gambling and other online
activities that has risks of addiction, conflicts and unhealthy behaviors;

d) The DOH and DSWD, in partnership with local government units (LGUs),
medical and health experts, shall establish and operate community-level
counseling, support services and rehabilitation centers for individuals
and families affected by gambling addiction. These agencies shall also
conduct periodic assessments to evaluate the effectivity, outcomes and
impact of its program.

e) The Department of Justice (DOM), in coordination with DICT and the
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), shall conduct the
takedown of gambling sites and removal of web or digitital applications
enabling online gambling

SEC. 6. Penalties. — Any person, entity, gambling operator and digital payment
systems in violation of this Act shall be subject to the following penalties:

a) First Offense - a fine of not less than Thirty Million Pesos
(P30,000,000.00) and suspension of license for twelve (12) months;

b) Second Offense - a fine of not less than Fifty Million Pesos
(P50,000,000.00) or a suspension of license for two years; and

©) Third and Succeeding Offenses — a fine of not less than One Hundred
Million Pesos (P100,000,000.00) and permanent revocation of its license
or permit to operate. The President, Chief Operating Officer, General
Manager, Treasurer, and/or Finance Officer of the company or

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corporation shall likewise be held criminally liable and may be penalized
with imprisonment of not more than six (6) years. If the offender is a
government official or employee, the penalty shall be imprisonment for
six (6) years, and shall suffer perpetual absolute disqualification from
holding any appointive or elective position in government or in any
agency, entity, or instrumentality thereof.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, PAGCOR, DICT, and the DOJ, shall jointly promulgate the
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the effective implementation of this
measure and shall ensure the full dissemination of the Act and the IRR to the public in
all traditional media and digital platforms

SEC. 8. Separability Cause. — If for any reason any part or provision of this Act
is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof which are
not affected thereby shall remain and continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,