A Philippine lawmaker has introduced a bill that would ban online gambling advertising and promotion across the country. House Bill 10982, also known as the Online Gambling Advertising Prohibition Act of 2026, was filed by Cebu Third District Representative Karen Hope Garcia.
The proposal would prohibit online gambling advertisements, promotions, endorsements and sponsorships across social media, television, radio, print, billboards, websites and mobile applications.
The restrictions would also apply to influencers, content creators, celebrities, vloggers and affiliate marketers promoting online gambling.
The bill would not cover the legal gambling activities specifically excluded by the proposal, including land-based casinos, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office lotteries and sweepstakes, horse racing and licensed cockpits.
Violators could face fines and prison
The bill proposes fines ranging from PHP500,000 to PHP10 million ($8,000-$160,000), possible licence cancellation and imprisonment of up to three years.
Platforms, media companies, advertising technology firms and other covered entities could also face penalties of up to PHP50,000 ($802) per day for violations.
Celebrities and other public figures involved in online gambling advertising could be required to return payments received for promotions and could be barred from gambling endorsements for between three and five years.
Online gambling is now the Philippines' largest gaming revenue segment
Garcia's proposal points to the rapid growth of online gambling and its financial impact.
According to PAGCOR, electronic and online gaming generated PHP201.12 billion ($3.23 billion) in gross gaming revenue in 2025. That represented 50.77% of the Philippine gaming industry's total GGR of PHP396.14 billion ($6.35 billion), making online gaming the country's largest gaming revenue segment.
The bill also cites gambling-related financial and health risks and refers to the World Health Organization's position on the harms associated with gambling and the growing impact of digitisation, marketing and sponsorship.
Stronger player verification proposed
House Bill 10982 would also introduce stricter identity and age-verification requirements for online gambling accounts.
The proposal therefore combines an advertising ban with stronger controls on access to online gambling platforms.
The bill remains under consideration in the House of Representatives and has not yet become law.
Source: Sun Star
