Senator Francis Escudero has filed Bill No. 2347 in the Philippine Congress, banning gambling advertising and sponsorship across all public channels — television, radio, websites, social media and outdoor. The bill was submitted in late July 2026 and draws a comparison to tobacco restrictions introduced two decades ago.
The ban covers media advertising, billboards, online and social platforms, celebrity and influencer endorsements, product placement, promotional merchandise distribution to anyone under 21, and sponsorship of sporting, musical or cultural events. Bonuses and incentive offers are also restricted. Licensed operators may communicate only inside their premises and on their own websites or apps, provided they verify age from 21 and display responsible gambling warnings.
A one-year transition period allows operators, advertisers and platforms to wind down existing contracts; new agreements are prohibited during that window. Fines escalate with each violation: up to 200,000 pesos ($3,300) and one year imprisonment for the first offence, 300,000 pesos ($4,900) and two years for the second, 500,000 pesos ($8,200), three years and licence revocation for the third. Foreign nationals face deportation after serving their sentence, a provision that directly affects management at Philippine online operators.
For arbitrage traffic the ban is critical: digital marketing is the primary acquisition channel. UK regulator data shows 80% of gambling ad spend goes online — 48% direct internet marketing, 19% affiliate programmes, 10% social media. The bill tightens restrictions already imposed by PAGCOR, which banned outdoor advertising in July 2025 and in June 2026 ordered operators to replace responsible gambling creative with hotline promotion. The central question for licensed operators: whether owned sites and apps alone can compete with offshore operators continuing to work through affiliates outside the jurisdiction. The bill requires approval from both chambers and the president.
