TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
2b JUL-7 AB ;47
S. No.
SENATE
1
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI
AN ACT
PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Online gambling addiction among minors has become a pressing concern in recent 
years. Reports revealed that individuals—including children aged 17 and below—are 
spending thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of pesos on online betting platforms. 
In a news report, it was even disclosed that minors can easily conceal their identities 
and log-in to online betting sites, with one saying, "Sa online, madali lang. Madali lang 
ang pekehen kung si no ka, kung saan ka or kung Hang taon ka nd."
This issue is further exacerbated by rapid technological advancements and the lax 
identity verification systems of online platforms. The lapses on the implementation of 
rules and regulations of such institutions allow users, particularly minors, to easily fake 
their personal information, granting them unrestricted access to gambling websites and 
applications. Consequently, children are prematurely exposed to the societal ill of 
addiction.
Psychologists and behavioral experts have raised concerns over what they 
consider a "silent epidemic!' of gambling addiction among the youth2. Some cases have 
documented minors incurring debts amounting to hundreds of thousands of pesos due 
to unregulated online gambling access.
Though we have banned the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO), a 
more dangerous and fearsome potential social menace continues to lurk in our shores 
and threaten the lives and well-being of our citizens, particularly our youth and vulnerable 
sectors. This is the online gambling which caters to our citizens.


This proposed measure seeks to ban online gambling through the use of mobile 
gadgets, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, personal computers and other 
gadgets to protect our citizens, especially the youth and vulnerable sectors from the 
negative and evil effects of online gambling.
This measure is grounded in the State's Constitutional mandate to protect our 
youth as enshrined in Section 13, Article II of the 1987 Constitution which states, " The 
State recognizes the vita! role of the youth in nation-buiiding and shall promote and 
protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate 
in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and 
civic affairs." We strongly believe that without immediate and concrete legislative 
intervention, the issue will continue to worsen and affect more Filipino youth.
In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL -7
r P */7 
h o *4. /
SENATE 
S. No.
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI
AN ACT
PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Oniine Gambling
2 
Act of2025".
3
4 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Section 12, Article II of the
5 
Constitution which states that "The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall
6 
protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution", as well as
7 
Section 13 of the same Article which states that "The State recognizes the vital role of
8 
the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral,
9 
spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being", it is the policy of the State to protect the
10 
moral, intellectual, psychological, and emotional development of its citizens, especially
11 
children and vulnerable sectors, from the effects of online gambling.
12 
To this end, online gambling in the Philippines is hereby banned and declared
13 
unlawful.
14
15 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act:
16 
a. Internet refers to an international computer network of interoperable packet-
17 
switched data networks. It includes the electronic medium in which online
18 
communication takes place.
19 
b. Internet applications refer to software and tools that enable users to access
20 
and utilize the internet's functionalities.


1 
c. Online gambling refers to any form of placing, receiving, or otherwise
2 
knowingly transmitting a bet or wager by any means which involves the use, in
3 
whole or in part, of the internet.
4 
d. Gambling Operator refers to any person, entity, or company authorized to
5 
offer gambling services.
6 
e. Advertising includes all forms of promotion, marketing, sponsorships,
7 
endorsements, or public display of online gambling content through digital
8 
platforms and physical media.
9 
f. Internet Service Providers or ISPs - refers to
10 
1. Any public or private entity that provides to users of its service the ability to
11 
communicate by means of a computer system; and
12 
2. Any other entity that processes or stores computer data on behalf of such
13 
communication service or its users.
14 
g. Digital platforms refer to information and communication technology-
15 
enabled mechanisms that connect and integrate producers and users in online
16 
environments where goods and services are requested, developed, and sold,
17 
and data is generated and exchanged such as, but not limited to, e-
18 
marketplace, mobile application platforms, online delivery platforms, social
19 
media platforms, and travel platforms; and
20 
h. Electronic wallet (e-waiiet) service provider refers to an entity that
21 
provides electronic money issuance or digital wallet services by storing
22 
monetary value electronically in an instrument or device, making it widely
23 
acceptable for payments and withdrawable in cash or cash equivalent, and
24 
which is registered or licensed by the BangkoSentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as an
25 
Electronic Money Issuer or Operator of a Payment System which shall include
26 
credit card companies.
27
28 
SEC. 4. Prohibited Acts. - Online gambling is prohibited and declared unlawful
29 
in the Philippines, as such it shall be prohibited for any person or entity to conduct or
30 
offer online gambling as defined under this law. This prohibition shall include but not
31 
limited to the following activities:
32 
a. Establishment, operation, or conduct of online gambling in the Philippines
33 
which shall cover those off-shore or foreign operated digital gambling
34 
platforms or applications;
35 
b. Acceptance of any form of betting or wager by digital gambling platforms
36 
or applications through online;
37 
c. Facilitating and use of electronic wallet or e-wallet and other digital payment
38 
systems for online gambling; and
2


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
d. Advertising through traditional media, online and social media including 
posts of content creators, vioggers and influencers which promote online 
gambling and specific digital gambling platforms.
Any gambling operator, media provider, advertising agency, or other entity 
found in violation of this provision shall be subject to the penalties outlined under 
Section 6 of this Act.
SEC. 5. Obligations of Internet Service Providers, Mobile Network Operators, 
and Digital Platforms. - To ensure effective implementation of this Act and limit public 
access to online gambling platforms and applications, all Internet Service Providers 
(ISPs), mobile telecommunications providers, digital applications, and similar 
platforms operating within the Philippines shall have the following obligations:
a. Website Blocking - ISPs and mobile providers shall, upon order of the 
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) or the 
Department of Justice - Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC), block access to 
all local or foreign-based online gambling websites and platforms operating 
in violation of this Act or existing laws.
b. Application Removal - Digital application distribution platforms, including 
application stores and mobile marketplaces, shall immediately remove or 
disable access to all gambling-related applications.
c. Mandatory Response Period- All take-down, blocking, or removal requests 
issued by PAGCOR or the DOJ-OOC shall be acted upon within seventy-two 
(72) hours from official receipt. Failure to comply within this period shall 
constitute a violation subject to enforcement under Section 6 of this Act.
d. Reporting and Compliance Mechanism - All covered entities shall maintain 
a mechanism for regular reporting to PAGCOR detailing the number of 
blocked websites, removed applications, and pending takedown requests. 
Such reports shall be submitted on a quarterly basis or as required under 
the implementing rules and regulations.
e. Penalties for Non-Compliance- Failure to comply with the obligations under 
this Section may result in administrative penalties including fines, 
suspension of licenses, and, where applicable, revocation of authority to 
operate digital or telecommunication services in the Philippines.
SEC. 6. Penalties. - Any person, entity, gambling operator and digital payment 
systems found violating any provision of Sections 4 and 5 of this Act shall be subject 
to the following penalties to be imposed by the PAGCOR after due notice and hearing:
3


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
a. 
First Offense - a fine of not less than Twenty Million Pesos 
(Php20,000,000.00) and suspension of license for six (6) months;
b. Second Offense - a fine of not less than Fifty Million Pesos (50,000,000.00) 
or a suspension of license for one (1) year; and
c. Third and Succeeding Offenses - aside from the administrative penalties of 
a fine of not less than One Hundred Million Pesos (Phpl00,000,000.00) and 
permanent revocation of its license or permit to operate that PAGCOR may 
impose, the offender may be subjected to criminal prosecution under this 
Act, and the Chief Operating Officer or President of the company shall be 
penalized with imprisonment of not more than six (6) years by the court.
SEC. 7. PAGCOR as Lead Agency. - PAGCOR shall be the lead agency to 
effectively implement the provisions and purposes of this Act. Further, to complement 
regulatory efforts and mitigate the social and psychological harms of gambling, 
PAGCOR, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department 
of Health (DOH), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), 
shall implement the following programs:
a. National Information and Awareness Campaigns - PAGCOR shall lead annual 
nationwide information campaigns focused on the risks of gambling addiction, 
particularly among minors and vulnerable populations. These campaigns shall 
utilize print, broadcast, and digital media, including social media platforms, to 
educate the public on the warning signs of gambling problems and promote 
responsible gambling behaviors.
b. Curriculum Integration and Digital Literacy - The DepEd, in consultation with 
PAGCOR and relevant stakeholders, shall develop and integrate age- 
appropriate digital literacy modules into the K-12 curriculum. These modules 
shall include content on the nature and risks of gambling, media and advertising 
literacy, and heaithy oniine behaviors.
c. Community-Based Counseling and Support Services - The DOH and the DSWD, 
in partnership with local government units (LGUs), shall establish and operate 
community-level hotlines, help centers, and referral systems for individuals and 
families affected by gambling addiction. These services shall be staffed by 
trained professionals and accessible free of charge to the public.
d. Program Funding and Monitoring - PAGCOR shall allocate a portion of its annual 
gross revenues to support the development, implementation, and monitoring 
of the above-mentioned programs. An annual report on the status, reach, and 
impact of these initiatives shall be submitted to Congress by PAGCOR.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 
17
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Philippine Amusement and 
Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), in coordination with the Department of Information 
and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Department of Justice (DOJ), shall 
formulate and issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations within ninety 
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in 
full force and effect.
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof that are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended, 
accordingly.
SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,