Philippine senator urges regulators to block gambling in messaging, e-commerce apps
Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on August 18th urged regulators to take swift action against online gambling operators allegedly embedding their platforms in widely used digital applications, including messaging apps like Viber and Telegram and e-commerce sites such as Lazada.
The call follows a directive issued last week by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), prompting major Philippine e-wallet providers GCash and Maya to sever ties with online gambling platforms.
According to the Philippine News Agency, Gatchalian expressed deep concern over what he called a “malicious and predatory practice” infiltrating some of the Philippines’ most popular digital platforms. He urged the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to immediately order the removal of online gambling sites from messaging and e-commerce platforms operating in the country.
Gatchalian stressed the urgency of government intervention, noting that these gambling sites are proliferating rapidly. He warned that authorities must act quickly to prevent mobile phones and online applications from becoming gambling hubs, emphasizing that these technologies were designed to enhance convenience for Filipinos, not to enable exploitation by gambling operators.
The senator cautioned that a total ban alone may not deter online gambling operations, pointing to e-sabong, which continues to thrive despite a government ban. He advocated for stricter regulations with robust enforcement mechanisms, warning that without them, operators could move underground, complicating regulation and increasing risks for vulnerable Filipinos, particularly youth.
Gatchalian has previously filed legislation to impose tighter regulations on online gambling, addressing the growing addiction among Filipinos. He linked the rise in online gambling to social issues, including higher crime rates and mental health challenges, which he said are ruining lives and dreams.
Meanwhile, Senator Erwin Tulfo proposed limiting online gambling payments to bank transactions only. He argued that setting minimum deposit and withdrawal requirements would discourage low-income Filipinos, many of whom lack bank accounts, from betting. Tulfo highlighted that drivers, workers, and students are falling into debt due to online gambling.
The Senate plans to summon e-wallet firms, banks, telecommunications companies, and the BSP to explain how gambling payments persist despite efforts to remove platform links.
https://agbrief.com/news/philippines/18/08/2025/philippine-senator-urges-regulators-to-block-gambling-in-messaging-e-commerce-apps/