TWENTTETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
■ ot ■ -
25 JUL 17 P4 :25
SENATE
s. No. 708
Rl:.CElVr it £'■
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING AND THE PLACING OF WAGERS OR BETS 
THROUGH THE INTERNET OR ANY ONLINE PLATFORM, PROVIDING FOR 
ENFORCEMENT MEASURES, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The welfare of the Filipino people comes first. Yet a growing epidemic is now 
gripping the country, one that is spreading rapidly and silently within our homes: online 
gambling. We need to step on the brakes now and put an end to this. In line with this 
call, Section 9, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall promote a 
just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the 
nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social 
services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality 
of life for all.
Imagine betting as little as Php20.00, thinking it wouldn't hurt to try — making 
these online gambling platforms highly accessible, addictive, and dangerously attractive. 
According to the 2023 Capstone-Intel survey, 66% of young Filipinos aged 18 to 24 
engage in online gambling, while 57% of those aged 41 to 55 reported gambling two (2) 
to three (3) times per week. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has 
classified gambling disorder alongside substance use disorders in both the Diagnostic and 
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the International Classification of Diseases. 
The WHO further warns that the commercialization of gambling, especially through 
aggressive marketing and sponsorship in social settings and media, normalizes and


exacerbates gambling-related harm.1 Unfortunately, these patterns are now clearly visible 
in the Philippines through the widespread promotion of online gambling platforms, even 
today as we traverse the roads of EDSA.
Evidently, online gambling promotes not only financial irresponsibility but is also 
linked to reckless behavior. A bus driver was recently caught on video engaging in online 
gambling while driving, putting the safety of passengers at risk.2 Furthermore, on July 3, 
2025, operatives from the Southern Police District arrested taxi and transport drivers who 
were caught participating in online cockfighting, or "E-Sabong," while waiting for 
passengers at a transportation hub in Parahaque City.3
Young people are among the most vulnerable to the harms of online gambling. 
The State has a constitutional duty under Section 13, Article II to promote and protect 
the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of the youth. What is truly 
concerning is that the Department of Education has confirmed that the youth are now 
being exposed to online gambling platforms, compromising their values and future.
As days, months, and years pass, technology continues to advance, making access 
easier than ever. If Filipinos continue to enjoy easy access to online gaming platforms, 
this epidemic will only worsen — affecting our families. Because they are more vulnerable 
to the allure of instant money, are heavily exposed to online gambling advertisements, 
and lack financial literacy, young people and those with low incomes must be protected. 
Thus, it is alarmingly clear that the economic and social costs far outweigh whatever 
revenues the government collects from these online gambling platforms.
Ban or no ban, these online gaming platforms will continue to find ways to skirt 
around rules and regulations. While some argue that banning online gambling may drive 
it underground, we must emphasize that enforcement — not tolerance — is the key. The 
State has ample law enforcement mechanisms, funding, and digital capabilities that are 
fully capable of curbing underground activity. There are barriers that hinder the ban on 
online gambling, particularly the political forces that continue to protect and justify its
1 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/QamblinQ
2 httD5://tribune.net.Dh/amD/storv/2025/07/14/di5tracted-bus-drivers-license-5usDended
3 httDs://mb.com.Dh/2025/07/04/12-arrested-for-illeqal-online-qamblinQ-at-a-transDort-hub-in-paranaque


existence. Nevertheless, the passage of this bill sends a clear and strong message: the 
welfare of the Filipino people comes first.
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
RAfFY T. Tl/LFO u


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
25 JUL 17 P4:25
%
SENATE 
s. No..708
RliCEi.
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING AND THE PLACING OF WAGERS OR BETS 
THROUGH THE INTERNET OR ANY ONLINE PLATFORM, PROVIDING FOR 
ENFORCEMENT MEASURES, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress Assembled:
Section 1. Short Tide. -This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Online Gambling Act 
of 2025."
Sec. 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 and 
free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, 
promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for 
all. The State likewise recognizes its duty to support the primary role of parents in the 
rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and moral character development, and to promote 
the moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of the youth. Towards this end, the 
State shall adopt measures to eliminate and prohibit all forms of online gambling 
activities, as these erode the value of dignified labor by enabling irresponsible spending 
driven by the appeal of instant monetary gain, and corrupt the minds of the youth, 
thereby endangering their future and leading Filipinos into severe financial hardship. In 
view of the foregoing, it is the intent of this Act to address these harms through a 
comprehensive prohibition on online gambling and the establishment of enforcement 
mechanisms.


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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. -
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(a) Internet refers to an international computer network of interoperable packet-
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switched data networks. It includes the electronic medium in which online
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communication takes place.
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(b) Online Gambling refers to the conduct of online games and the taking of bets
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or wagers through any computer or communication device connected to the
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Internet, or the use of Internet-based technology and other communication
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devices necessary for gaming operations. This includes but is not limited to E-
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Bingo, E-Casino, Online Poker Games, Online Sports Betting, Specialty Games,
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Online Numeric Games, and other similar platforms.
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(c) Bet or Wagerrefers to the act of risking something of value upon the outcome
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of a contest of others, a sporting event, or a game subject to chance, based
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on an agreement or understanding that the person, or another person, will
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receive something of value upon a certain outcome.
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(d) Gambling Platform refers to any website, mobile application, software, or
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digital interface that enables users to participate in online gambling.
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Sec. 4. Prohibition on Online Gambling and Covered Acts. - All forms of online
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gambling are hereby prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person, whether natural or
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juridical, to offer, operate, facilitate, participate in, or promote any online gambling
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activity. This prohibition covers, but is not limited to, the following:
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1. 
E-Casino Games;
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2. 
E-Bingo Games;
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3. 
Online Poker Games;
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4. 
Online Sports Betting;
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5. 
Specialty Games;
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6. 
Online Numeric Games;
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7. 
Online Cockfighting or E-Sabong;
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8. 
Any other internet- or online-based betting activities involving wagers or
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games of chance or skill.


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Sec. 5. Implementing and Enforcement Agencies and Their Functions. -To ensure 
the effective implementation and enforcement of this Act, the Philippine National Police 
(PNP), through its Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), and the National Bureau of Investigation 
(NBI), through its Cybercrime Division, shall be responsible for enforcing this Act, 
including the surveillance, investigation, and apprehension of individuals and entities 
found to be in violation of the provisions herein.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in 
coordination with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and internet 
service providers, shall ensure the immediate and effective disabling of access to online 
gambling platforms.
Furthermore, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) shall 
revoke all existing licenses related to online gambling and shall cease the issuance of any 
license permitting online gambling operations. PAGCOR shall coordinate with law 
enforcement agencies to report any former licensee found to be operating in 
circumvention of the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 6. Penalties. - Any person who violates any of the prohibited acts under 
Section 4 of this Act, including offering, operating, facilitating, participating in, or 
promoting any form of online gambling activity as enumerated therein, 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 (Phpl00,000.00) nor more than Five Hundred 
Thousand Pesos (Php500,000.00), at the discretion of the court.
If the offender is a corporation, partnership, or association, the maximum penalty 
of five (5) years and the fine of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php500,000.00) shall be 
imposed upon the President, director/s, manager, or managing partner/s and/or 
responsible officer/s thereof.
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If the offender is a public officer or employee, or if such public officer or employee
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promotes, encourages, aids or abets the promotion or conduct of online gambling, the


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maximum penalty prescribed for the offense shall be imposed. In addition, he/she shall
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be dismissed from the public service and shall suffer the penalty of perpetual
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disqualification from holding any public office.
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Sec. 7. Repeal of Authority to Regulate Online Gambling. - All laws, decrees,
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executive orders, rules and regulations, which are interpreted to give legal authority to
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regulate any forms of online gambling are hereby repealed.
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Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior and
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Local Government, in coordination with the Department of Information and
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Communications Technology, and in consultation with the appropriate government
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agencies and stakeholders, shall jointly formulate and promulgate the necessary rules
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and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders issuance, circulars, rules and regulation
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or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
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or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provision hereof not affected thereby shall
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continue to be in full force and effect.
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Sec. 11. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
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in the official gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,