TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
25 JiJL -2 P5 31
p':r:
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING AND THE PLACING OF 
WAGERS OR BETS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR ANY FORM OF 
ONLINE GAMBLING ACTIVITIES, PROVIDING PENALTIES 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Gambling has posed a serious threat to the welfare and security of Filipinos. 
People are not just putting their money at stake but are also risking their future and 
lives to addiction. More alarmingly, the involvement of individuals in gambling has, in 
many instances, escalated into criminal behavior.
In particular, the presence and operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming 
Operators (POGOs) have been linked to a range of serious crimes, including financial 
fraud, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and 
even murder.1 Gambling has not only endangered the lives of individuals but has also 
undermined public safety and the rule of law. Because of this. President Ferdinand 
Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 74, which imposes an effective ban on all POGO, 
Internet Gaming, and other Offshore Gaming Operations in the country.2
Flowever, online gambling remains accessible to the local population. Its 
presence continues to grow in the online space, infiltrating digital platforms used 
frequently by ordinary individuals. This includes the GCash app, one of the country's 
most popular mobile payment apps. With over 90 million users, the app has made
BBC. Philippines bans online casinos linked to scam centres. Published on 23 July 2024. Available at 
https://www.bbc.com/news/ articles/crgmlkOlkdyo (Accessed on 15 May 2025).
Presidential Communications Office. PBBM orders immediate ban against all PH POGO operations. 
Published on 8 November 2024. Available at https://pco.gov.ph/news_releases/pbbm-orders- 
immediate-ban-against-all-ph-pogo-operations/ (Accessed on 16 May 2025).


gambling more accessible than ever and has become a portal that connects users to 
online gambling platforms and sports betting sites.3
The integration of online gambling into various platforms and websites has 
enabled it to gain wider traction and reach a broader audience in an effort to attract 
more users. Alarmingly, many of these platforms are frequented by minors, putting 
them at risk of early exposure to gambling and potential addiction.
Gambling not only affects the person who gambles but also their family, friends, 
workplaces, and communities.4 For instance, there have been reports of suicide, 
crimes, disappearances, and family breakdown due to debts incurred and accumulated 
because of e-sabong. Thus, it is imperative to view with caution the harms associated 
with gambling in light of mounting evidence and past incidents that demonstrate the 
severe risks it poses to the lives of Filipinos and to the nation's overall security and 
stability.5
This bill seeks to prohibit online gambling and the placing of wagers or bets 
through the internet or any form of online gambling activities, while encouraging job­
seeking and employment as means to earn money; protect individuals, especially the 
youth, from addiction; safeguard the nation from crimes; and save lives.
Thus, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
JOE^ILLANUEVA
Rest of the World. The most popular payment app in the Philippines has a side bet: online gambling. 
Published on 16 October 2024. Available at https://restofworld. org/2024/philippines-gcash-online- 
gambling-addiction/ (Accessed on 16 May 2025).
Philstar. E-sabong's social impact. Published on 14 April 2022. Available at https://www.philstar. 
com/the-freeman/opinion/2022/04/14/2174427/e-sabongs-social-impact (Accessed on 16 May 
2025).
Ibid.


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. ^7
25 JUL-2 ?5 31
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING AND THE PLACING OF 
WAGERS OR BETS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR ANY FORM OF 
ONLINE GAMBLING ACTIVITIES, PROVIDING PENALTIES 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Oniine
2 
Gambling Act."
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote
4 
a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and
5 
independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies
6 
that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising
7 
standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. It is also the policy of
8 
the State to guarantee the right of the workers to security of tenure, humane
9 
conditions of work, and a living wage. Towards this end, the State shall adopt
10 
measures to eliminate and prohibit all forms of online gambling activities as it
11 
undermines the value of an individual's dignified work by allowing reckless and
12 
risky expenditures at the possibility of instant monetary gain which have led
13 
many Filipinos to experience dire financial situations.
14 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following
15 
terms are hereby defined as follows:
1


1 
a) 
Internet refers to an international computer network of
2 
interoperable packet switched data networks. It includes the
3 
electronic medium in which online communication takes place;
4 
b) Betor WagervQfQrs to taking or risking by any person of something
5 
of value upon the outcome of a contest of others, a sporting event,
6 
or a game subject to chance, upon an agreement or understanding
7 
that the person or another person will receive something of value in
8 
the event of a certain outcome;
9 
c) 
Internet Gambling or Online Gambling refers to placing,
10 
receiving, or otherwise knowingly transmitting a bet or wager by any
11 
means which involves the use, in whole or in part, of the internet.
12 
SEC. 4. Prohibition on Online Gambling and Similar Acts. - Any
13 
person who shall place, receive, or otherwise knowingly transmit a bet or wager
14 
by any means which involves the use, in whole or in part, of the internet shall
15 
be punished by an imprisonment ranging from one (1) month to six (6) months
16 
or a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP 100,000.00) nor
17 
more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP 500,000.00), at the discretion
18 
of the court.
19 
If the offender is a corporation, partnership, or association, the maximum
20 
penalty of five (5) years and the fine of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP
21 
500,000.00) shall be imposed upon the President, Director/s, Manager, or
22 
Managing Partner/s and/or responsible officer/s thereof.
23 
If the offender is a public officer or employee, or if such public officer or
24 
employee promotes, encourages, aids or abets the promotion or conduct of
25 
online gambling, the maximum penalty prescribed for the offense shall be
26 
imposed. In addition, they shall be dismissed from the public service and shall
27 
suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding any public office
28 
under the Republic of the Philippines.
29 
SEC. 5. Repeal of Authority to Regulate Online Gambling. - All
30 
general and special laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations.


1 
which were made or are interpreted to give iegai authority to permit and
2 
reguiate any forms of oniine gambiing are hereby repeaied.
3 
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30)
4 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of the Interior and Locai
5 
Government, and the Department of Justice, in consuitation with the
6 
appropriate government agencies and other stakehoiders, shaii jointiy
7 
promuigate the ruies and reguiations for the effective impiementation of this
8 
Act.
9 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shaii be heid
10 
unconstitutionai or invaiid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shaii
11 
remain in fuii force and effect.
12 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - Aii iaws, decrees, orders, issuances, and
13 
ruies and reguiations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this
14 
Act are hereby repeaied or modified accordingiy.
15 
SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shaii take effect fifteen (15) day
16 
after its compiete pubiication in the Officiai Gazette or in a newspaper of
17 
generai circuiation.
Approved,