In the context of a nationwide crackdown on illegal gambling in the Philippines, Pasig City in the Metro Manila area has taken a more tangible step by starting from the public environment. Mayor Vico Sotto announced on Monday that a local ordinance named "Ordinance No. 26 of 2025" has taken immediate effect, aiming to completely remove gambling advertisements from the city's public view.
Ban Scope: "Visual Bombardment" Disappears from the Streets
That is to say, it might become difficult to see any gambling content advertisements in the streets and alleys of Pasig in the future. The coverage of this new regulation is quite extensive, from giant billboards, LED screens, to bus and jeepney body advertisements, to bus shelters, transportation terminals, building exterior wraps, and even flyers and pamphlets, all are included in the prohibition list. The municipal authorities' goal is clear, which is to eliminate this kind of "visual bombardment" to the public, making the city's public spaces more "refreshing". However, the ordinance is not a one-size-fits-all; inside legal casinos or betting stations, related marketing promotions are still allowed, effectively "enclosing" gambling information within specific commercial premises.
Mayor's Promotion and the Logic of Local Autonomy
This ordinance was initiated by Councilor Paulo Cenogra and quickly passed. Mayor Vico Sotto is evidently pleased with this, describing it on social media as a "key step forward" for Pasig. His statement also reveals the pragmatic considerations of the local government: the city has limited jurisdiction over online platforms or national advertisements; therefore, what can be done is to "clean up one's own doorstep snow", controlling the local public environment within its capabilities. This regulation action based on local autonomy reflects the local government's flexible stance in responding to social concerns. Global advertising regulation trends vary, and those interested can follow the PASA official website for more updates.
Practical Considerations and National Background of the Ban
The ban in Pasig City is not an isolated event; it is placed under the large base of gambling participation in the Philippines. According to data from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), about 32 million adults in the country have had gambling experiences. Such a large scale of participation means that any public promotion of gambling could have a broad social impact. As an important city in the Metro Manila area, Pasig's initiative to strictly limit public advertisements has a certain exemplary significance. This can be seen as a complementary governance measure taken by the local government on the consumer end and public promotion level after the central government's comprehensive rectification and crackdown on POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators), aimed at further reducing the visibility and inducement of gambling activities in daily life.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leader" gambling industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
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