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

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TWENTIETH CONGRESS \e 8Y

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

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House BILL no. 1643

Introduced by Representatives:
ZIAUR-RAHMAN “ZIA” ALONTO ADIONG,
FRANCISCO PAOLO V P. ORTEGA, GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO,
LORDAN G. SUAN, JEFFERSON F. KHONGHUN, ERNESTO “ERNIX" M.
DIONISIO JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The rapid proliferation of online gambling in the Philippines has brought with it a
growing concern over the emergence of fast-paced online specialty games that are
designed to maximize user engagement through speed, repetition, and instant
gratification. These gambling formats, which often include virtual mini-casino games,
instant virtual bets, and rapid-fire wagering systems, allow users to place successive
bets in mere seconds, creating a highly addictive and unregulated digital
environment.

Unlike traditional gambling systems, these fast-paced online formats often operate
in the shadows of loosely monitored platforms, mobile applications, and foreign-
hosted websites. Their digital nature makes them exceptionally difficult to monitor
and regulate. Even when operators are identified, enforcement is hampered by
jurisdictional limitations, rapid platform rebranding, the use of cryptocurrency or
untraceable digital wallets, and the ability to evade takedowns by simply moving
operations across servers or borders. The ease of access through mobile devices,
coupled with aggressive online advertising, has allowed these platforms to infiltrate
homes and communities with little to no friction.

This bill seeks to prohibit the operation, marketing, and payment facilitation of fast-
paced online specialty forms of gambling within the Philippines. It recognizes the
disproportionate risk these platforms pose to the youth and to financially vulnerable
sectors who are often drawn into impulsive and repetitive betting behavior.

Importantly, the bill also draws a distinction between unregulated and predatory
digital gambling platforms and established online systems such as Lotto and Bingo,
which are administered by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), or other duly authorized
government agencies. These exempted forms are characterized by longer time
intervals between wagers, strong regulatory oversight, regular audits, and
responsible gaming frameworks.

The proposed measure introduces substantial penalties for individuals and
corporations involved in the operation and facilitation of such prohibited platforms. It
also aims to empower regulators by establishing a clear legal prohibition that can
serve as a basis for cooperation with international enforcement partners and
technology providers to detect and dismantle illicit operations.



This legislation acknowledges that the digital nature of fast-paced gambling makes
accountability elusive, but it also affirms that the State must not allow technical
difficulty to become a pretext for inaction. A clear legal framework is the first step in
addressing this modern threat to public welfare.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
(



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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL No. 1643

Introduced by Representatives:
ZIAUR-RAHMAN “ZIA” ALONTO ADIONG,
FRANCISCO PAOLO V P. ORTEGA, GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO,
LORDAN G. SUAN, JEFFERSON F. KHONGHUN, ERNESTO “ERNIX" M.
DIONISIO JR.

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE OPERATION OF FAST-PACED ONLINE SPECIALTY
FORMS OF GAMBLING, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Online Gambling Ban
Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
protect the public, especially the youth and financially vulnerable sectors, from the
harmful effects of predatory and addictive online gambling practices.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms.For purposes of this Act:

a) Fast-Paced Online Specialty Gambling refers to online forms of gambling
that allow users to place bets or wagers and receive outcomes within a short
period, and which enable continuous or rapid successive betting which are
widely distributed and easily accessible to the public. These include, but are
not limited to, virtual instant gambling, online mini-casino formats, and rapid
betting mechanisms

b)

Heavily Regulated Online Gambling refers to legally established online
gambling systems operated under government license or charter, including but
not limited to Lotto and Bingo, which are subject to strict regulation, provide
reasonable time intervals between wagers.

SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts.The following acts are prohibited:
a) The development, operation, hosting, or offering of fast-paced online specialty
forms of gambling within the territory of the Republic of the Philippines;


b) The marketing or promotion of such gambling formats through online platforms,
mobile applications, or electronic media and all offline means;

c) The use of digital payment systems for the facilitation of bets or wagers in fast
paced online specialty forms of gambling.

d) The conduct of any component of the prohibited acts in paragraph (a).

SECTION 5. Exemptions. The prohibition under this Act shall not apply to:

a) Online versions of Lotte, Bingo, or other gambling activities conducted by PCSO,
PAGCOR, or other authorized government agencies provided that:

Such gambling formats are already well-established and subject to existing
regulation;

The time between game entries and results is reasonably spaced to prevent
impulsive or rapid repetitive betting behavior;

The systems undergo regular auditing and compliance checks to ensure fairness
and responsible gambling standards.

SECTION 6. Penalties.Any person, partnership, corporation, or entity found guilty of
violating this Act shall be penalized as follows:

a) For individuals: imprisonment of not less than five(5) years but not more than ten
(10) years or a fine of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), or
both, at the discretion of the court;

b) For corporations or entities: a fine of not less than Ten Million Pesos
(P10,000,000.00), sequestration of assets used in furtherance of the illegal activity,
and revocation of license or business permit, if applicable;

c) If the violator is a foreign entity or naturalized corporation, deportation shall be
imposed after service of the sentence or payment of fines.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations.Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation shall
promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act in
consultation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the
Department of Justice.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause.If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in
full force and effect.

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

SECTION 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,