Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 1975 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
While Filipino workers continue to struggle for their families' needs, online 
gambling operators still prey on their desperation. The lure of gambling on the 
internet makes it especially enticing for our fellow citizens, who desperately hope to 
win large sums of money. However, those engaging in such activities face a number 
of risks and issues due to money. The internet only amplifies this risk, giving people 
practically unlimited access to betting. 
Online gambling platforms such as e-sabong, have been linked to the 
destruction of the nation’s moral fabric. While it has been a way for the government 
to generate income, this should not come at the cost of endangering our people, let 
alone minors, with activities that bring about addictive behavior as well as an 
increase of mental health and financial problems, vices, and crime rates.  
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. there have even been cases of desperate parents selling their children or 
committing suicide over debts from e-sabong. Easier access to gambling through 
online platforms has only exacerbated this.1 In a TeleRadyo interview, 20-year-old 
John Robin Manalili said he wanted to quit e-sabong for his parents but ended up 
losing up to Php 1 million to his addiction.2 
In addition to financial harm, evidence suggests a link between gambling and 
mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Further research also shows 
correlations between substance use disorders and problem gambling.3 Criminal 
3https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/substance-use/the-epidemiology-and-impact-of-gambl
ing-disorder-and-other-gambling-relate-harm.pdf 
2https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/03/03/22/binatang-natalo-ng-p1-m-sa-e-sabong-tinalikuran-ang-bi
syo-para-sa-magulang 
1https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/alcohol-drugs-and-addictive-behaviours/ad
ab-forum 
1 
July 16, 2025
10:52 am


activity can also be a result of compulsive betting since gamblers will often resort to 
crime in order to maintain appearances or pay off debts.  
It is our moral obligation to preserve the morals which define us as a society. 
Most importantly, it is our duty as those who believe in God to raise the next 
generation in a morally solid setting and guard them against the harms and risks 
that accompany gambling, avarice, and other sinful activities. 
For these reasons, the swift passage of the foregoing measure is earnestly 
sought.  
RICARDO S. CRUZ JR. 
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 1975 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
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: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Online 
Gambling Act”. 
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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c.)​“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 Interior Local Government and the 
Secretary 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, 
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