The Philippine online gambling industry is facing unprecedented systemic suppression, from regulatory policies to payment gateways, with multiple tightening measures forming a siege. Various signs indicate that the legal existence of online gambling in the Philippines is standing on the brink of life and death.
First, the industry regulatory body PAGCOR, without any prior warning, proactively requested all platforms to remove gambling advertisements, which was seen by the outside world as a "self-cooling" under high-pressure conditions. Soon after, the Central Bank of the Philippines ordered electronic wallet platforms to rectify payment processes, restricting users from depositing funds into gambling platforms, cutting off important funding channels.
The greater impact comes from the legislative level. Vice President Sara Duterte recently took a tough stance at an overseas rally, advocating for a complete ban on online gambling, claiming it is destroying youth and families. At the same time, Senator Regada also submitted a bill proposing to ban all forms of online gambling, including online casinos, virtual slot machines, digital lotteries, e-cockfighting, and sports betting, and to severely punish related promotional activities.
The bill explicitly requires blocking related platforms within 48 hours and sets severe penalties for individual and corporate violations, with a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment. The Philippine Department of Health has also characterized online gambling as a public health threat, emphasizing its profound damage to mental health and social structure.
The Executive Secretary, Bel Saming, stated that the government is comprehensively assessing the issue of the survival of online gambling, and President Marcos will provide a clearer stance on this issue in his State of the Nation Address on July 28. He mentioned that the President is highly sensitive to public opinion and has personally participated in drafting the speech. It is widely speculated that a stricter policy may be announced at that time.
Industry insiders point out that currently, platforms including POGO (offshore gambling) and PIGO (local legal gambling) are feeling a strong "chill." If the ban is implemented, even compliant platforms may not escape the fate of being "cut off with one stroke." A PIGO operator stated, "If this continues, we won't even have time to retreat."
This series of actions indicates that Philippine online gambling is encountering a rhythmic and profound policy harvest. Whether it is for social stability, youth protection, or curbing cybercrime, this gambling ban storm is already on the bowstring. The industry is concerned that this time, it might really be the "endgame."
