Philippine lawmaker Karen Hope Garcia has filed House Bill No. 10982 seeking a complete ban on online gambling advertising. The bill carries penalties up to 10 million pesos ($159,685), three years' imprisonment and licence revocation.
The proposed ban covers television, radio, print, outdoor, social media, websites and mobile apps. It prohibits contextual ads, email and SMS campaigns, and promotions through influencers, bloggers and celebrities. Bonuses, free bets and referral codes would be outlawed. Cross-promotion is also banned: land-based products sharing a brand with an online operator cannot be advertised.
Public figures caught endorsing operators must return fees and face three- to five-year bans on similar deals. Platforms, media and service providers risk 50,000-peso daily fines and licence suspension. The bill tightens age and identity verification at account registration.
Garcia framed the measure as protection for youth and vulnerable groups. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation reported 201.12 billion pesos ($3.36 billion) in electronic and online GGR for 2025—50.77% of the industry's 396.14 billion pesos ($6.34 billion) total. Online overtook land-based casinos for the first time.
Regulated gambling remains legal. Licensed casinos, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office lotteries, horse racing and cockfighting in sanctioned arenas continue operating. Their offline advertising is permitted under responsible-gaming standards. News coverage, academic discussion and government communication are exempt.
The World Health Organization in 2024 classified gambling disorder as an addiction intensified by commercialisation and digitalisation, recommending advertising bans. Senator Francis Escudero earlier filed similar legislation, Senate Bill No. 2347, proposing a nationwide prohibition on gambling ads.
