The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) of the Philippines issued a significant new regulation on August 12, completely prohibiting its employees and local government officials from participating in any form of online gambling activities, demonstrating the government's firm determination to strengthen integrity construction and maintain the image of public officials.
According to Memorandum No. 082 of 2025, DILG employees and local officials at all levels are strictly forbidden from accessing online gambling platforms or participating in online betting. This ban was quickly introduced in response to recent multiple reports of officials involved in gambling, aiming to prevent gambling behavior from affecting the execution of public duties and maintaining the government's credibility and integrity.
In an official statement, the Ministry of the Interior emphasized: "Public officials bear public trust, and participating in online gambling not only damages government credibility but also violates the integrity and loyalty expected of civil servants, affecting work focus and efficiency."
This ban not only continues the restrictions on traditional casino gambling but also extends the regulatory scope to online betting platforms for the first time, showing the government's high regard for the potential risks of online gambling. The memorandum clearly states that violators will face severe administrative penalties and criminal accountability, and related measures will be strictly implemented according to laws and regulations, with no tolerance.
Industry experts point out that this measure reflects the Philippine government's continuous efforts in anti-corruption and governance enhancement, especially the importance of preventing online gambling from eroding the public service system in the digital age.
Furthermore, DILG calls on local governments to strengthen internal supervision, actively implement the anti-gambling policy, create a clean and efficient public service environment, and set a good example for society. The government will continue to monitor the behavior of public officials to ensure effective policy implementation and protect national and public interests.
This ban marks a solid step by the Philippine government in curbing the spread of online gambling and purifying the political environment, potentially promoting more related policies and driving government operations to be more transparent, fair, and efficient.
