Putting ‘limits to gaming access’ is an option – BSP
(2025/07/04-05:30)
MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it was ramping up efforts to protect individuals who use digital platforms against the dangers that may arise from engaging in online gambling.
In a statement on Thursday, the BSP said it had released a draft circular on the matter and that it was currently reviewing feedback from stakeholders.
This came after Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, called out the government for failing to protect Filipinos, especially the youth, from becoming “gambling addicts.”
It also followed the bill filed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday that seeks to tighten regulations on online gambling by prohibiting the use of e-wallets for the activity.
More protection
The BSP said the draft circular would require BSP-supervised institutions, mainly banks and electronic money issuers, to improve measures protecting the users of their digital platforms from such risks.
“Protection may come in the form of various limits to gaming access,” it said.
The monetary authority said it was “taking a collaborative approach to crafting the circular, to ensure that the final policy strikes a balance between protecting consumers and preserving access to digital payments for licensed businesses.”
Stock market dips
Meanwhile, the shares of stock market favorite DigiPlus Interactive Corp. fell yet again on Thursday. This time, the drop is more steep at 13.89 percent, a loss of P6.25 to P38.75 percent a share.
DigiPlus shares lost 3.85 percent of its value on Tuesday following news about Gatchalian’s bill. On Wednesday, DigiPlus lost 10 percent or P5 to close at P45 per share.
Also on Thursday, shares of casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp., which is also in the online gaming business, shed 6 percent or 30 centavos to close at P4.70 apiece.
The BSP’s latest step builds on earlier actions related to online gaming.
In 2021, the central bank issued a directive that prohibits regulated entities from dealing with unlicensed gambling operators.
In 2022, the BSP ordered e-wallet companies and other BSP-supervised entities to remove links to electronic “sabong” (e-sabong) from their platforms.
This followed the suspension by the national government of all e-sabong operations.
Akbayan joins drive
Also in response to Cardinal David’s statement of concern, the House party list group Akbayan on Thursday said it would file a bill to strictly regulate online gambling.
The measure will be “imposing firm age restrictions on e-gambling platforms and removing access to e-wallet services like GCash and Maya, (which are) often used to easily fund online bets,” the party list group said in a statement.
“In gambling, not only chips or money are at stake but dreams. For every cash-in made on an e-gambling app, there are families being ruined and youths being robbed of their future,” Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno said.
“They say ‘you win some, you lose some’—but only the big gambling corporations win from the dreams others lost,” he added.
The proposed measure calls for strict age-verification mechanisms and penalties on operators who fail to implement restrictions, especially on “targeted advertising and pop-ups designed to lure minors.”
Star of Edsa billboards
Fellow Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña also stressed that the rise of online gambling reflects deeper socioeconomic neglect—where economic mobility is no longer anchored on public services, but on luck.
“When our people are starved of opportunities, desperation becomes the only currency,’’ he said. “Is gambling now a basic necessity? The giant billboards on Edsa now promote e-gambling (and not just) food or fashion.”
Policy experts, economists, and other stakeholders are fine-tuning the draft bill, the group said.
According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), e-games were its leading revenue generators in the first quarter of 2025, contributing P51.39 billion, or 49.36 percent of the total gross gaming revenue (GGR) of P104.12 billion.
The first quarter growth was a substantial 27.44 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Pagcor chair and CEO Alejandro Tengco highlighted this as a crucial shift in the Philippine gaming landscape, emphasizing the need “to strike the right balance between innovation, player protection and long-term industry sustainability.”
In comparison, licensed casinos generated P49.28 billion (47.32 percent), and Pagcor-operated casinos accounted for P3.45 billion (3.31 percent).
Pagcor has accredited 64 gaming system administrators and 12 online gaming platforms for licensed casinos as of June 19, 2025.
It projects a 17 percent growth in the local gambling industry’s total revenue for 2025, primarily driven by the strong performance of the e-gaming sector.
INQUIRER
- 07/04 11:31 2 ex-Pogo workers nabbed in Las Piñas for selling fake money worth P150,000
- 07/04 09:52 ICC prosecutors strengthen case vs Duterte with 11th batch of evidence
- 07/04 08:21 Marcos eyes new fish ports, ice plants to cut costs for fisherfolk
- 07/04 05:50 Inflation, job security temper Filipinos’ optimism about 2026
- 07/04 05:34 Poll observers from EU note socmed misuse, ‘outdated’ laws
- 07/04 05:30 Putting ‘limits to gaming access’ is an option – BSP
- 07/04 02:30 Gov’t debt rose to new record high of P16.92T
- 07/04 02:20 SEC eyes enhanced REIT framework
- 07/04 02:18 Shakey’s rides growth wave, expands to Laos, Taiwan
- 07/03 16:06 Palace vows to raise PH economy to upper middle-income bracket
- 07/03 15:31 BSP gears up to protect Filipinos vs danger from online gambling
- 07/03 15:11 Anti-terror law’s purpose not achieved five years on – lawyers
- 07/03 09:48 West PH Sea: PAF proposes purchase of ‘flying radars’ amid woes
- 07/03 05:34 ‘Genuine’ Filipinos won’t cower before China, says Malacañang
- 07/03 05:04 Baguio execs renew bid to collect P200M in John Hay revenue
- 07/03 02:20 Aboitiz Power keen on scaling up solar capacity
- 07/02 17:11 7 Chinese nationals arrested in Pampanga for telecom fraud
- 07/02 13:40 Palace: Harry Roque’s remark on his PH departure is ‘barber’s gossip’
- 07/02 13:06 Del Monte Foods seeks US bankruptcy protection, asset sale
- 07/02 11:26 Peza clears P72B investments in 1st semester
- 07/02 08:02 Philippines remains stuck in lower middle-income group
- 07/02 05:25 Smuggled onions, mackerel worth P34M seized at Manila port
- 07/02 04:30 SC issues writ of kalikasan vs Samal-Davao bridge project
- 07/02 02:11 Philippine factory activity recovered in June
- 07/02 02:08 More int’l flights coming to Manila, says Naia operator
- 07/02 02:02 P1-B budget sought to start corn procurement program
- 07/01 14:32 Marcos weighing public sentiment on PH return to ICC – Palace
- 07/01 13:10 China bars ex-senator Tolentino from entering its territories over WPS stance
- 07/01 12:22 Bill to set public school teachers' minimum wage at P50,000 refiled
- 07/01 11:53 Smuggled agri products worth P34M seized
- 07/01 11:26 PSE approves Keppel Philippines delisting on July 8
- 07/01 09:50 Teodoro: Time for PAF to have airborne early warning, control system
- 07/01 05:45 Study: WPS, Benham Rise world’s soft coral hot spots
- 07/01 04:40 Fishers’ group rejects US ammo factory in Subic Bay
- 07/01 02:14 Fuel discounts for PUVs launched amid rollback
- 07/01 02:13 BSP still sees below-target June inflation despite oil price spike
- 06/30 17:04 Teodoro on US-proposed Subic ammo plant: It's ‘definitely encouraged’
- 06/30 13:08 Philippines, Lithuania sign defense pact amid West PH Sea challenges
- 06/30 09:27 Senate open to proposals to improve public access to budget process
- 06/30 05:55 Manila court: Alice Guo ‘a Chinese national’
- 06/30 05:45 Village halls in Albay’s Ligao City go solar
- 06/30 05:35 MMDA completes switch to adaptive traffic lights
- 06/30 02:08 Airlines in Asia-Pacific see turbulence ahead
- 06/30 02:07 Higher deficit ceiling forces tweaks to Philippines' borrowing plan
- 06/30 02:06 MVP awaits big buyers, steady market for Maynilad IPO
- 06/27 11:26 DILG: Paralegal aid frees nearly 68,000 detainees to ease jail crowding
- 06/27 11:08 Subic-Clark-Manila- Batangas cargo railway gets technical aid from USTDA
- 06/27 10:44 Filipinos in Hawaii urged to get US citizenship amid ICE crackdown
- 06/27 09:46 2 Chinese arrested for shooting at Filipino in Makati City
- 06/27 05:48 Escudero, Romualdez likely to keep top posts
- 06/27 05:30 Cayetano warns vs rushed dismissal of impeachment raps
- 06/27 02:34 Marcos gov't cuts 2025 growth outlook on the Philippines
- 06/27 02:30 Gov’t back to budget deficit in May, but smaller
- 06/27 02:18 AboitizPower launches P30-B retail bond offer
- 06/27 02:10 AI-enabled commerce coming soon to digital store near you
- 06/26 15:05 DTI: Prices of basic goods remain stable amid global risks
- 06/26 14:55 Palace hits back after Sara Duterte defends ‘personal’ Australia visit
- 06/26 12:28 Fisherman finds P166.6-M drugs at sea, turns them over to PDEA
- 06/26 10:48 ALI, Globe land on TIME’s list of sustainable companies
- 06/26 05:36 DOJ eyes Japan tech in search for missing cockfighters
- 06/26 05:32 House prosecutors submit Sara Duterte impeach complaint certification
- 06/26 05:30 DOJ heeds ICC ‘request’ to assist witnesses
- 06/26 04:30 From mangroves to meals
- 06/26 02:28 BSP: Number of fake banknotes surged by 18.4% in 2024
- 06/26 00:19 DFA launches book promoting PH Studies programs abroad
- 06/25 17:00 Peso strengthens to 56:$1 as Middle East optimism weakens dollar
- 06/25 16:04 West PH Sea: Recent US-PH-Japan sea drills viewed as ‘counter-China’ effort
- 06/25 13:10 Pope Leo XIV appoints Br. Armin Luistro to Vatican dicastery
- 06/25 13:00 PNP-ACG: Most online scammers now are Filipinos who ‘learned’ from Pogos
- 06/25 11:47 Romualdez: House commits to fund thousands of new teaching posts
- 06/25 10:42 Marcos: No need for fuel subsidy talks as prices have not risen
- 06/25 05:55 Duterte rant, partner Avanceña’s rage cited to block his release
- 06/25 05:45 AFP battle staff readies plans amid Middle East tensions
- 06/25 02:09 Faster 5.6% Philippine GDP growth seen in Q2
- 06/25 02:02 BSP wants banks to adopt model risk management
- 06/24 14:12 Chinese submersible drones’ sinister roles in expansionism
- 06/24 13:33 AFP ready to aid gov't in repatriating Filipinos in Iran, Israel
- 06/24 09:19 31 Filipino repatriates from Middle East now safe – DMW
- 06/24 08:29 Padilla seeks Duterte repatriation, but Senate rejects his resolution
- 06/24 02:10 Philippine peso, stocks feel pressure of world on edge
- 06/24 02:08 Middle East war may cut short BSP easing, say analysts
- 06/24 02:03 Offshore wind projects get boost as Philippines launches road map
- 06/24 02:01 Philippines linking rural farms to markets via steel bridges
- 06/23 13:35 More than 100 Filipinos in Israel lost their homes – PH embassy
- 06/23 11:47 Panfilo Lacson says US bombing of Iran nuke sites could start world war
- 06/23 05:50 Over 200 Filipinos in Israel, Iran seeking repatriation
- 06/23 05:20 Carpio: Sara Duterte risks waiving rights without response to court
- 06/23 02:10 Philippine banks cut property exposure to lowest in 6 years
- 06/23 02:08 Property firms endure condo glut
- 06/23 02:07 Likely better harvest lessens rice imports
- 06/22 05:32 Next week’s fuel price hike seen exceeding P5 per liter
- 06/21 18:07 Marcos: ‘We did not yield’ on West Philippine Sea issue
- 06/20 14:42 Sara Duterte may be violating obligation with her trips abroad – Palace
- 06/20 12:51 Marcos meets Japanese tourism partners on 2nd day of Japan trip
- 06/20 11:29 Sara Duterte on personal trip to Australia to join rally for her father
- 06/20 08:58 DOTr studying train line upgrades – Dizon
- 06/20 05:32 UN rapporteur urges PH to return as ICC member
- 06/20 04:00 Philippine conglomerates increase investments in health care
- 06/20 02:20 AGI eyes new luxury hotel, malls through P59-B buildout
- 06/20 02:16 Robinsons Land pumps up REIT arm with 9 more malls
- 06/20 02:10 Preparing Philippine businesses for sustainability compliance
- 06/19 17:59 Torre to police commanders: ‘Don’t hide in your offices’
- 06/19 14:22 New COVID-19 'Nimbus' variant not yet detected in PH, says DOH chief
- 06/19 12:07 Killing of P200 pay hike bill also kills bid for living wage
- 06/19 11:40 7 Filipinos hurt in Iran missile strikes on Israel – PH embassy
- 06/19 11:08 Meralco unit PacificLight switches on 100-MW plant in Singapore
- 06/19 09:56 PH peso sinks back to 57:$1 as US Fed hold boosts dollar
- 06/19 05:12 Barbers pushes for AI-regulating gov’t agency
- 06/19 02:22 DTI launches supply chain, logistics center to support MSMEs
- 06/19 02:18 Firms in Spain earn nod to send meat to the Philippines
- 06/18 16:51 PSEi retreats as Israel-Iran conflict rises
- 06/18 12:25 Motorists will get fuel subsidies due to Mideast tension – Marcos
- 06/18 09:15 Zero dengue deaths by 2030 possible – scientific working group
- 06/18 08:54 Experts urge PH gov't to expedite approval of new dengue vaccine
- 06/18 02:16 Gov’t orders DOE to ensure sufficient oil supply
- 06/18 02:13 Philippines to adopt OECD cryptocurrency tax framework
- 06/18 02:10 New incentives program for electric vehicles seen ‘more inclusive’
- 06/18 02:09 San Miguel leads Philippine firms in ‘Southeast Asia 500’ list
- 06/18 02:04 Philippine exit from list of ‘risky’ markets seen raising investor interest
- 06/17 13:12 MMDA: Driver caught 309 times for same traffic violation in 10 months
- 06/17 12:00 DOTr chief commits privatization of 10 airports by 2028
- 06/17 10:49 House refusal to accept Duterte lawyers’ entry may delay trial – Senate
- 06/17 07:01 Philippines climbs to 51st in global competitiveness report
- 06/17 05:45 Filipina worker wounded in airstrikes vs Israel ‘critical’
- 06/17 02:14 Israel-Iran conflict seen unlikely to derail BSP rate cut
- 06/16 19:07 Senate, House tell agencies: Monitor, help Filipinos caught in war
- 06/16 13:58 Marcos on Filipinos in Israel: Make sure ‘no one is left behind’
- 06/16 11:27 Marcos orders agencies: Prioritize power, internet access in schools
- 06/16 05:40 4 Filipinos in Israel injured amid air strikes
- 06/16 05:36 PH, Japan hold joint drills after RAA
- 06/16 05:32 Problems of past class opening persist in current school year
- 06/16 02:32 Stage set for fresh BSP rate cut to 5.25%
- 06/16 02:26 Final price caps set for clean energy auction
- 06/16 02:20 NEA tasked to help co-ops secure green energy requirements
- 06/15 14:49 DA estimates over 200,000 metric tons of tuna catch in 2024
- 06/13 18:24 AboitizPower P100-B bond program gets SEC approval
- 06/13 17:01 DA lifts ban on beef, poultry products from Germany, Belgium
- 06/13 17:01 DA lifts ban on beef, poultry products from Germany, Belgium
- 06/13 14:55 Edsa 2’s lessons for Sara Duterte trial from Joseph Estrada’s fall
- 06/13 11:55 Sotto: Sen. Miriam taught me that senator-judges can’t make motions
- 06/13 02:30 BSP orders banks to go beyond OTPs
- 06/13 02:24 Filinvest hosts Qatar Airways’ first Philippine office
- 06/13 00:50 Rodrigo Duterte appeals for an interim release from ICC detention
- 06/12 21:56 Marcos offers condolences to India over deadly plane crash
- 06/12 15:34 Chief justice on Independence day: Combat corruption, apathy
- 06/12 14:49 Christian Monsod: Senate decision to remand ‘railroading a wrong power’
- 06/12 13:36 Taiwan’s TPEx tapped to help Philippine SMEs, bond market grow
- 06/12 13:08 Strong, credible voices reverberate vs ‘delay’ in Sara Duterte trial
- 06/12 10:33 Pulong Duterte celebrates independence but dad's detention leaves pain
- 06/12 07:30 Agriculture group urges Marcos to block P200 daily wage hike
- 06/12 06:00 Marcos: Value the nation’s heritage by protecting rights, freedoms
- 06/12 05:44 House, Senate in stalemate over proposed pay hike
- 06/12 05:42 PH removed from EU’s ‘high risk’ dirty money list
- 06/12 02:32 Legislated wage hikes to harm economy, hurt poor Filipinos - economic team
- 06/11 16:29 Solon raises alarm over ASF vaccines for alleged mutation risks
- 06/11 16:24 House to seek clarity on Senate’s remand before receiving case
- 06/11 15:37 No court jurisdiction lost in Sara Duterte impeachment case - Escudero
- 06/11 15:05 Protesters rally in numbers at Senate over Duterte trial delay
- 06/11 13:29 Big business group 'deeply concerned' over stalled Sara Duterte impeachment trial
- 06/11 13:02 Economic team warns of ‘dangerous repercussions’ of P200 wage hike
- 06/11 11:07 Philippines exits EU ‘high-risk’ dirty money list
- 06/11 09:05 Philippine agricultural trade deficit narrows in April
- 06/11 02:28 BSP: FDIs extended slump in March
- 06/10 13:01 41 Chinese vessels seen in various parts of West Philippine Sea in May
- 06/09 14:57 PCG to assess damage caused by grounded Chinese ship off Pag-asa island
- 06/09 12:19 Impeachment process has ‘constitutional infirmities’ – Sara Duterte team
- 06/09 11:36 Senate minority to initiate Sara Duterte impeachment trial this Monday
- 06/09 09:51 F-16 maker sees US making formal offer to PH for fighter jets
- 06/09 05:30 FDA adds 10 more drugs to VAT-free medications
- 06/09 02:09 Philippine market tagged best in SE Asia on slowing inflation
- 06/09 02:07 US agri exports seen growing as Philippines' middle class expands
- 06/09 00:11 South Korea seen to seek deeper security cooperation with PH
- 06/08 02:12 AI is unlocking human potential in new ways
- 06/06 15:23 PH-Japan reciprocal access agreement gets House of Councillors' OK
- 06/06 14:11 ICC prosecutors submit 7th batch of evidence vs Rodrigo Duterte
- 06/06 13:31 Prosecution to present impeachment articles no matter what – Zamora
- 06/06 09:43 Joblessness in the Philippines worsens in April
- 06/06 02:28 Japan debt watcher keeps Philippines' ‘A’ rating
- 06/05 09:16 Inflation cools to 1.3% in May, slowest pace in nearly 6 years
- 06/05 04:36 Reusing plastic ‘a win for everyone’
- 06/05 04:34 Wind power drives Camarines Sur’s energy shift
- 06/05 04:32 In Palawan, a resilient system of seaweed farming
