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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session  
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez, DPA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill is reflective of House Bill No. 11254, An Act Prohibiting Any Activity Related 
to Online Cockfighting or E-sabong Operations and Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof, 
which was approved on third reading in the 19th Congress and transmitted to the Senate on June 
9, 2025.    
Recent national events have unfolded that intensify the pressure and magnify the societal 
risks and impacts of online gambling. As previously presented, online gambling, in the case of 
online cockfighting, has threatened the peace and stability of families and small communities. At 
the moment, it is the subject of a criminal investigation. 
With these developments, this bill calls for the prohibition of all forms of online gambling, 
to eliminate all venues for family members, and average Filipino to be distracted and lured into 
games of chance that are difficult, if not impossible, to regulate and are proven to do more harm 
than good to the Filipino people.   
In view of the foregoing, the swift passage of this bill is respectfully sought. 
RICHARD I. GOMEZ, DPA
August 18, 2025
8:00 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session  
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez, DPA 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING ALL ACTIVITIES AND FORMS OF  ONLINE GAMBLING AND 
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known and referred to as the “Anti-Online 
Gambling Act.”  
SEC. 2. Definitions. - 
(a) Online gambling - any online, remote or off-site wagering or betting activity on
matches, events, and activities streamed or broadcasted live from certain locations
or premises where the activity is held, through the use of Information and
Communication Technology ;
(b) Online gamblers - any person or organization that places a wager or bet in any
online gambling activity;
(c) Online gambling operator - any person or organization that owns and operates
any online gambling activities;
(d) Online gambling platform - any online application that engages in online
gambling activities through the streaming or broadcasting of activities wherein
online wagers are placed;
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(e) Physical premises owner - any individual or organization that owns the physical 
premises where the livestreamed activity is occurring;  and 
(f) Online payment providers  -  any financial service provider that facilitates 
payments using electronic wallet accounts. 
 
SEC. 3. It is unlawful for any person to commit any of the following prohibited acts: 
(1) Launch and operate any Online Gambling Platform; 
(2) Participate in online gambling operations by placing bets or wagers; 
(3) Permit any actual activities on which online bets and wagers are placed, while the 
activity is being broadcasted using Information and Communication Technology;  
(4) Facilitate the online payments made to place bets or wagers in online gambling 
operations;  
The prohibited acts under this section are designated as associated unlawful activities to 
money laundering, as defined under Republic Act No. 9160, otherwise known as the “Anti-
Money Laundering Act of 2001,” as amended. 
 
SEC. 4. Any person who violates Section 3 of this Act shall be punished by imprisonment 
of not less than one (1) year but not more than twenty (20) years, or a fine of not less than Five 
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), but not more than Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00), or 
both, at the discretion of the court. If the offender is an operator of an online gambling platform, 
a recidivist, a physical premises owner, or an online payment provider, the maximum penalty 
prescribed shall be imposed. 
If the offender is a corporation or an association, the president, manager, managing partner, 
or any officer of the corporation or association who directly participated in the violation of 
Section 3 of this Act shall be held liable.  
If the offender is a public officer, the public officer shall be dismissed from the service and 
perpetually disqualified from holding public office. In addition, the public officer shall also be 
held administratively liable under existing laws, rules and regulations. 
 
SEC. 5. All permits and licenses of online gambling operators issued by the Philippine 
Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) are declared invalid and the PAGCOR shall 


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make an accounting of any financial obligation due to and from online gambling operators. No 
permits or licenses for the operation of any online gambling may be issued by PAGCOR upon 
the effectivity of this Act. 
 
The National Telecommunications Commission, the Cybercrime Division of the National 
Bureau of Investigation, the Anti-Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National Police, the 
Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center of the Department of Information and 
Communications Technology, and other law enforcement agencies shall monitor and block all 
existing and emerging online gambling websites. 
 
 
SEC. 6. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Chairperson of the 
PAGCOR shall, in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, the 
Chief of the Philippine National Police and the Director of the National Bureau of Investigation, 
issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act be declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in force. 
 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. – Any law, decree, ordinance, or administrative circular not 
consistent with any provision of this Act is hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,