TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE​ ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES​ ) 
First Regular Session​
​
​
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. 2915 
INTRODUCED BY HON. RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The deleterious effects of gambling, especially in a developing country such as 
ours, cannot be overstated. The entire industry is built and designed to prey on 
addiction, at best, and desperation, at worst. Gambling can lead to serious harms on 
individuals, 
families, 
and 
societies, 
including 
financial 
distress, 
relationship 
breakdowns, family violence, mental illnesses and even suicides. 
With the advent of the internet and online platforms, gambling has never been 
easier and more accessible to more and more people. In fact, for 2024, the electronic 
games sector accounted for half of the record-high revenues of the Philippine Games 
and Amusement Corporation for the year, surpassing the contributions from the 
long-standing licensed casino industry.1  
Unfortunately, the ease and accessibility of online gambling and electronic games 
have in the same vein exacerbated its pernicious effects. The World Health 
Organization has stated that the commercialization of gambling, which also drives 
normalization, is increasing the incidence of gambling harm. Sponsorships or other 
association with popular sporting leagues, and the collocation of gambling products in 
social settings, are key mechanisms. Aggressive promotion of gambling in popular and 
social media also increases gambling activity.2 
While regulatory mechanisms are in place to address these inherent harms and 
minimize the risks involved, the fact remains that the very existence of the gambling 
industry is dependent on the population suffering these harms and taking these risks. It 
is therefore incumbent upon the State to find a balance. As part of our persistent push 
toward a total ban on online gambling, we start with cutting off its oxygen – advertising. 
A population-wide public health approach is required to address this situation, 
which includes the ending of online gambling advertising. Indeed, with the ease of 
accessibility afforded by the internet, online gambling does not need further marketing 
and promotion; patrons of online gambling will always know where to look. 
This situation is not novel; the State faced the same situation with respect to the 
regulation of tobacco. To this end, Republic Act No. 9211, otherwise known as the 
2 See https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/gambling 
1 See https://www.pagcor.ph/press-releases/pagcor-revenues-hit-new-record-high-of-php112-billion-in-2024.php 
1 
August 4, 2025
1:45 pm


Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, was enacted. Under this measure, while tobacco was 
not banned, all forms of tobacco advertising in mass media were prohibited except at 
the point of sale. The State would be wise to do the same for online gambling. 
 
At the end of the day, 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 of not only gambling and greed, but also the proliferation of messaging that 
inevitably downplays such dangers and promotes its consumption. 
 
​
In line with the policy adopted by its original proponent Senator Alan Peter 
“Compañero” S. Cayetano, this bill therefore serves as a counterpart measure. It is for 
the reason stated above that the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
                      RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR.  
 
 
 
2 
 


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE​ ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES​ ) 
First Regular Session​
​
​
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. 2915 
INTRODUCED BY HON. RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
AN ACT  
PROHIBITING ALL FORMS OF ADVERTISING OF ONLINE GAMBLING 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:  
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Online Gambling 
Advertisement Act of 2025."  
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. It is also the policy of the State, consistent with the Constitutional ideal to 
promote the general welfare, to safeguard the interests of the people. 
For these purposes, the State shall institute a balanced policy whereby the 
advertisement of online gambling shall be regulated in order to promote a healthful 
environment and protect the citizens, especially the youth, from the hazards of 
gambling, and at the same time ensure that the interests of workers and stakeholders 
in the gambling industry are not adversely compromised. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
are hereby defined as follows: 
a. “Advertisement” refers to any visual and/or audible message
disseminated to the public about or on a particular product or
service that promote or give publicity by words, designs, images or
any other means through broadcast, electronic, print or whatever
form of mass media, including outdoor advertisements, such as but
not limited to signs and billboards. For the purposes of this act,
advertisement 
shall 
be 
understood 
as 
online 
gambling
advertisement.
b. “Advertising” refers to the business and/or act of conceptualizing,
presenting, making available and communicating to the public,
through any form of mass media, any fact, data or information
about the attributes, features, quality or availability of consumer
products, services or credit.
1 


For purposes of this Act, advertising shall be understood as online 
gambling advertising. This shall specifically refer to any messages 
or images marketing or promoting, or tending to market or promote, 
online gambling; the use of online gambling sites and platforms; 
and online gambling-related trademarks, brand names, designs 
and service provider’s names. 
 
c.​ “Advertiser” refers to any person or entity on whose account or for 
whom an advertisement is prepared and disseminated by the 
advertising agency, which is a service established and operated for 
the purpose of counseling or creating and producing and/or 
implementing advertising programs in various forms of media. 
 
d.​ “Internet” 
refers 
to 
an 
international computer network of 
interoperable packet switch data networks. It includes the electronic 
medium in which online communications take place. 
 
e.​ “Marketing” or “promoting” refer to any activity, program, or 
incentive, or any combination thereof, which give publicity to, or 
otherwise entice people to register and/or play. 
 
For purposes of this Act, marketing and promoting shall include: 
 
1.​ Placing by any manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of any 
online-gambling related trademarks, brand names, and 
designs as a prop in any television program or motion picture 
produced for viewing by the general public or in a video, 
optical disc, or on a video game machine; 
 
2.​ Distributing, 
selling 
or 
offering, directly or indirectly, 
merchandise, such as but not limited to t-shirts, caps, 
sweatshirts, 
visors, 
backpacks, 
sunglasses, 
writing 
implements and umbrellas, with the trademark, brand name 
or design of an online gambling product, platform, or service 
displayed so as to be visible to others when worn or used; 
and 
 
3.​ Entering into any agreement for the naming rights of any 
stadium or arena using a trademark, brand name or design 
of an online gambling product, platform or service or 
otherwise causing a stadium or arena to be named with such 
brand name. 
 
f.​ “Mass media” refers to any medium of communication designed to 
reach a mass of people. For this purpose, mass media includes 
print media, such as but not limited to newspapers, magazines, and 
publications; broadcast media, such as but not limited to radio, 
television, cable television, and cinema; electronic media, such as 
but not limited to the internet; and social media or social media 
platforms on the internet. 
 
2 
 


g.​ “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. Ban on Advertising, Marketing or Promoting Online Gambling. – 
Upon the effectivity of this Act, except as otherwise provided in this Act, all forms of 
advertising, marketing or promoting online gambling in mass media shall be prohibited. 
 
SECTION 5. Advertisements allowed on registered domains or uniform resource 
locators of service providers and approved online gaming platforms. – Licensees, 
operators, and service providers of duly approved and authorized online gambling 
platforms or services may be allowed to advertise, market, or promote their own 
platform or service, subject to the following qualifications: 
 
(a)​
The prior approval of the Philippine Games and Amusement Corporation 
(PAGCOR) shall be required for all instances of advertising, marketing, or promoting 
under this provision. 
 
For this purpose, the applying licensee, operator or service provider shall submit 
to PAGCOR the complete mechanics or the implementing rules and guidelines of the 
advertisement or marketing or promotional activity. 
 
(b)​
All advertisements or marketing or promotional activities shall contain a 
clear, categorical, and readily visible  statement that persons under twenty-one (21) 
years of age are prohibited from participating in any form or manner in online gambling; 
 
(c)​
All advertisements or marketing or promotional activities shall not, directly 
or indirectly, imply that a player’s skill can influence the outcome of an online gambling 
activity; 
 
(d)​
All advertisements or marketing or promotional activities shall not, directly 
or indirectly, give an impression that gambling is an accepted way to make or earn 
money; 
 
(e)​
All advertisements or marketing or promotional activities shall not, directly 
or indirectly, include misleading statements about odds and prizes, including but not 
limited to implication of guaranteed prizes. 
 
​
SECTION 6. Ban on Sponsorships. – Licensees, operators, and service 
providers of online gambling platforms and services are prohibited from sponsoring any 
sport, concert, cultural or art event, as well as individual and team athletes, artists, or 
performers where such sponsorship shall require or involve the advertisement, 
marketing or promotion of any online gambling platform or service. 
 
SECTION 7. Penal Provisions. – Any person who shall advertise, market, or 
promote online gambling in mass media in violation of the provisions of this Act shall be 
punished by imprisonment ranging from one (1) year to six (6) years or a fine of not 
less than One Million Philippine Pesos (PHP 1,000,000.00) nor more than Five Million 
Philippine Pesos (PHP 5,000,000.00), at the discretion of the court. 
 
3 
 


If the offender is a corporation or association, the maximum penalty of five (5) 
years and a fine of Five Million Philippine Pesos (PHP 5,000,000.00) shall be imposed 
upon the President, Directors, Managers, or Managing Partners thereof. 
 
If the offender is a public officer or employee, the maximum penalty prescribed 
for the offense shall be imposed. In addition, such public officer or employee shall be 
dismissed from public service and perpetually disqualified from holding any public office 
and participating in any election. 
 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty (30) days 
following the approval of this Act, the Department of Interior and Local Government and 
the Department of Justice, in coordination with the Philippine Games and Amusement 
Corporation, shall jointly promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this measure.  
 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, 
superseded, or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act or the application 
of such provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid for any reason, the 
remainder of this Act or the application of such provision to other persons or 
circumstances shall not be affected thereby. 
 
SECTION 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,  
4