Biel Jose Catipon

Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri has filed Senate Bill No. 142 in the 20th Congress to ban online gambling in the Philippines, citing it as a “silent epidemic” causing addiction among Filipinos.


The Philippines emerged as the Gambling Capital of Asia in 2024 with 76 casinos and, based on 2023 data, ranked third globally in the number of online slot gambling players.

“Para tuluyan na nating matigil ang online gambling na umuubos ng pera ng ating mga kababayan mula sa iba't ibang sektor,” said Zubiri during a press conference on July 27, highlighting the need for a total ban and not just regulation. “Ito'y magandang hakbang para matanggal na po itong addiction sa ating mga kababayan. From our elderly to our children, it is so easy to fall victim to the silent epidemic of online gambling.”

Under the Anti-Online Gambling Bill, it prohibits the establishment, operation, and conduct of online gaming in the Philippines, which shall cover offshore or foreign-operated digital gambling platforms or applications.

The bill also bans the acceptance of any form of betting or wagering by digital gambling platforms or applications online, and the facilitation of e-wallets and other digital payment systems for online gambling.

Advertising through traditional media, online, and social media, including posts by content creators, vloggers, and influencers that promote online gambling and specific digital platforms, is also prohibited under the said bill.

“All over the internet and along our busiest highways, our biggest celebrities are promoting online gambling with colorful, shiny advertisements that deceive our people into thinking that these games are nothing but harmless fun, na masayang ilaro itong mga games na ito,” said the former Senate president, referring to the widespread marketing tactics that downplay the dangers of online gambling.

He also noted that Filipinos are not only losing time but also their life savings, emphasizing the urgency of banning even the authorized online games of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

For the first offense of the prohibited acts, a fine of Php 20 million and a six-month suspension of the license will be imposed.

The second offense will carry a fine of no less than Php 50 million or a one-year suspension.

The third and succeeding offenses are penalized with a Php 100 million fine, and permanent revocation of its license permit operated by PAGCOR will be imposed by the agency.

The chief operating officer or president of the company shall be penalized with imprisonment of not more than six years by the court.

“So if we continue this in the next two years, by the end of the term of the President, we'll be a nation of online gamblers, a nation of addicted gamblers, and a drop, and you'll see all across the board in all sectors… This will also increase the number of crimes, petty crimes, theft, scamming, and all that para lang makapagbayad dito sa adiksyon na ito. So we have to stop this,” the senator added.

Zubiri also appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take action, noting that before he steps down in 2028, the country might be in a worse position than when he assumed office in 2022.

PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alejandro Tengco said on July 8 that the agency would support moves to tighten regulations for the lucrative industry, but not an outright ban.