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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 721 
Introduced by Representatives JONATHAN KEITH T. FLORES, JOSE MANUEL F. 
ALBA, AUDREY T. ZUBIRI, LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE, and ARLYN P. AYON 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The rapid growth of electronic wallet (e-wallet) platforms has transformed the financial 
landscape of the Philippines. These platforms have become essential to the lives of millions of 
Filipinos, particularly in today’s digital economy. However, alongside financial inclusion and the 
ease of transactions, a troubling social and cultural trend has emerged: e-wallets have become 
gateways to gambling by providing direct access to digital casinos and sports betting platforms. 
In today’s digital age, online gambling has entered the mainstream consciousness. Digital 
advertising of gambling platforms is now widespread and often disguised as entertainment. Every 
day, economically vulnerable Filipinos are lured into gambling activities that may lead to financial 
ruin and social harm. Even more troubling is the fact that e-wallets are frequently used to obtain 
loans that gamblers rely on to continue betting. This creates a vicious cycle of debt and 
dependency, turning e-wallet platforms into “channels of addiction.” 
This bill seeks to regulate the role of e-wallet operators in the promotion of online 
gambling. It sets clear prohibitions on the advertising of online gambling through e-wallet 
platforms and the redirection of users to gambling sites or applications. It also mandates e-wallet 
operators to remove gambling-related content from their platforms, implement internal safeguards, 
and submit regular compliance reports to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). 
Online gambling is a moral, financial, and public health concern. Without proper 
safeguards, e-wallets risk becoming traps for vulnerable Filipinos and safe havens for gambling 
addiction. Thus, this bill aims to ensure responsibility and accountability among e-wallet platforms 
to prevent their exploitation in promoting gambling-related activities and behaviors. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
JONATHAN KEITH T. FLORES 
2nd District of Bukidnon 
JOSE MANUEL F. ALBA 
1st District of Bukidnon 
AUDREY T. ZUBIRI 
3rd District of Bukidnon 
LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE 
4th District of Bukidnon 
ARLYN P. AYON 
SWERTE Party-list
July 1, 2025
9:52 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 721 
Introduced by Representatives JONATHAN KEITH T. FLORES, JOSE MANUEL F. 
ALBA, AUDREY T. ZUBIRI, LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE, and ARLYN P. AYON 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING THE PROMOTION OF ONLINE GAMBLING IN ELECTRONIC 
WALLETS (E-WALLETS) AND OTHER SIMILAR MOBILE PAYMENT 
APPLICATIONS, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF 
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 
Promotion in E-Wallets Act.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes the vital role of electronic wallet (e-
wallet) platforms in promoting financial inclusion and supporting an efficient digital financial 
system. At the same time, the State acknowledges the growing risks posed by online gambling 
entities, particularly their targeting of vulnerable sectors through the possibility of instant monetary 
gain. 
It shall therefore be the policy of the State to regulate digital financial service providers to 
prevent the promotion, dissemination, and facilitation of online gambling-related content and 
activities. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – The following terms, as used herein, shall mean: 
(a) “Bet” or “Wager” refers to the act by any person of risking money, credit, or items of
value on 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 stand to gain or lose something 
of value based on a certain outcome; 
(b) “Online Gambling” refers to the placing, receiving, or otherwise knowingly
transmitting a bet or wager by any means which involves the use, at least in part, of the internet; 
(c) “Gambling Platform” refers to any online application, website, or program that
facilitates or hosts the betting or wagering of money, credit, or items of value upon the outcome 
of a contest of others, a sporting event, or a game subject to chance; and 
(d) “Electronic Wallet” or “E-wallet” refers to the digital value stored in a wallet, as
defined by regulations of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). 


SEC. 4. Prohibited Contents. – It shall be unlawful for operators of e-wallet mobile 
applications: 
 
(a) To redirect users to any online gambling platform, website, or application through 
links, QR codes,  or similar digital means; 
 
(b) To distribute information online on the placing, receiving, or transmitting of a bet or 
wager through any online gambling website, platform, or application; 
 
(c) To display, publish, or host online gambling advertisements within their applications 
or user interfaces; and 
 
(d) To promote gambling activities online to the general public. 
 
SEC. 5. Duties of Operators of E-wallet Applications. – Under this Act, all operators of 
e-wallet platforms and similar digital payment applications shall: 
 
(a) remove and block any online gambling advertisements and promotional content from 
their platforms; 
 
(b) implement internal policies to prevent the promotion of online gambling activities in 
e-wallet platforms; and 
 
(c) submit a compliance report to the BSP within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of 
this Act, and annually thereafter, affirming their compliance and detailing the measures 
undertaken to prevent the promotion of online gambling on their platforms. 
 
 
SEC. 6. Monitoring and Reporting. – The BSP, in coordination with the Department of 
Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and other appropriate government 
agencies, shall monitor compliance, investigate complaints involving violations of Section 4 of 
this Act, and impose penalties for non-compliance or the submission of false declarations in the 
annual compliance reports. 
 
 
SEC. 7. Penalties. – Any operator, natural or juridical, of an e-wallet platform or similar 
digital payment application found to have violated any prohibited act provided under Section 4 of 
this Act shall be penalized as follows: 
 
(a) First Offense: A fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but 
not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), and a written warning; 
 
(b) Second Offense: Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than One 
million pesos (P1,000,000.00), and suspension of operations for a period not exceeding thirty (30) 
days; 
 
(c) Third and Subsequent Offenses: A fine of not less than One million pesos 
(P1,000,000.00) but not more than five million pesos (P5,000,000.00), and permanent revocation 
of business license. 
 
 
If the offender is an alien, the guilty alien shall be deported immediately after payment of 
fines without further proceedings by the Bureau of Immigration. 
 
 
 
SEC. 8. – Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). –  Within ninety (90) days  from 
the effectivity of this Act, the BSP, in coordination with the DICT, the Philippine Amusement and 
Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), appropriate government agencies, and other stakeholders, shall 
jointly promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 


 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. –  If any provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional 
or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, and rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
 
 
SEC. 14. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,