Representative Karen Hope Garcia has filed House Bill 10982 to ban online gambling advertising in the Philippines. The bill was published on 26 August.
The ban would cover television, radio, print, outdoor advertising, social media, streaming services, websites, mobile apps, search ads, affiliate marketing, influencer promotions, direct mail and sports sponsorships. Paid endorsements by celebrities, athletes and bloggers would be prohibited. Exemptions include journalism, academic research, non-commercial artistic works and responsible gaming information.
Licensed operators may post limited factual information on their own platforms, restricted to registered users who have passed age and identity verification. The minimum age is set at 21 years, with mandatory checks against government registries and biometric identification.
Advertising for land-based casinos, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office lotteries, licensed horse racing and cockfighting will remain permitted but subject to stricter regulation on placement, content and warnings.
Garcia's bill follows Senate Bill 2347, filed in July by Senator Francis Escudero. Escudero's proposal seeks a total advertising ban on all forms of gambling across traditional and digital media.
The explanatory note cites PAGCOR data showing online gambling generated 50.77% of the Philippines' total gaming revenue in 2025. Both bills are under review.
