The capital of the Philippines, Manila, has recently witnessed a striking scene—on one of the busiest thoroughfares, EDSA Avenue, the previously ubiquitous gambling billboards vanished overnight. Many overpasses and intersections that were once covered with colorful and aggressively promoted online gambling ads have now been thoroughly dismantled, with some remnants of the advertising materials still visibly left behind, serving as a direct testament to the tightening of regulations.
This "advertising cleanse" directly stems from the latest directive of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). PAGCOR has demanded that all licensed operators immediately remove outdoor advertisements related to gambling, with key areas including EDSA Avenue being the first batch targeted for cleanup. Compared to a few months ago when advertisements were ubiquitous and overwhelming, Manila now appears much tidier.
More intriguingly, this action closely follows the dynamics of the Philippine Congress. Just the day before (August 14), the Philippine Senate Committee on Gaming and Entertainment held its first public hearing on online gambling. During the meeting, several senators unanimously agreed that the connection between gambling platforms and electronic wallets should be severed to prevent the free flow of funds, especially the formation of cross-border financial chains. If this proposal is implemented, the future payment channels of the online gambling industry will be significantly tightened, substantially affecting the operators' ability to transfer funds.
Industry observers note that the removal of billboards and the restriction on electronic wallets together send a clear signal: the Philippine government is accelerating its efforts to tighten regulations on the gambling industry, particularly online gambling. The government not only aims to regulate the industry order and enhance regulatory transparency but also intends to reduce the negative impact of gambling advertisements on the general public, especially young people.
From a trend perspective, this series of measures indicates that the Philippine gambling industry may be facing a new round of rectification and industry reshuffling. Licensed companies are facing stricter compliance requirements, while illegal operators will lose the opportunity to attract users through advertisements and payment channels. In the short term, the gambling market may experience some growing pains, but in the long run, the Philippine government is attempting to set clearer boundaries and limits for the industry through stringent regulation.
