blog image

On August 15, 2025, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued a sweeping directive requiring all e-wallet providers and other BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) to remove in-app links and icons redirecting users to online gambling platforms within 48 hours.

Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan announced the emergency measure during the opening day of a Senate hearing on the online gaming industry, signaling an immediate clampdown on easy access to gambling within popular financial apps. By Sunday morning, e‑wallets and similar platforms were expected to have cut those links, allowing consumers time to withdraw any funds still tied up in betting accounts.

This measure specifically targets in‑app gambling links, not the ability to use e‑wallets for payments on gambling websites accessed independently. In other words, users will no longer be able to click a button in their mobile wallets that takes them directly to a betting site—but they can still use their wallets to fund gambling if they navigate to the site themselves.

The BSP justified the move by citing growing concerns over the financial and social fallout from unrestricted access to gambling, especially among vulnerable groups. In parallel, the central bank is finalizing broader regulations that could include identity verification, daily and session-based transfer limits, and user-facing tools for setting personal spending caps or self-exclusion options.

The directive came on the same day the Senate began considering multiple bills aimed at either banning online gambling or subjecting it to stricter regulation. During the hearing, Senator Erwin Tulfo underscored the urgency of reform: “We face two policy paths: a complete ban on all forms of online gambling or stricter and more effective regulation … Our youth are not for sale. Our families are not collateral damage.” 

Meanwhile, licensed operators formed the PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines, pledging to uphold responsible gaming standards. The coalition is organizing strategic committees focused on player protection, advertising governance, financial risk control, and fighting illegal gambling. The alliance plans to include advisory panels composed of local and international experts to guide regulation moving forward.

This regulatory shift builds upon earlier moves by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR). In July, PAGCOR ordered the removal of all out-of-home gambling advertisements by August 15 and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ad Standards Council to screen gaming ads rigorously, particularly near schools or hospitals.

At the same time, studies reveal that unregulated gambling platforms remain prevalent, offering significantly more games than their licensed counterparts—raising concerns about accessibility and risk exposure for players.