Philippines Moves to Shut Down Online Gambling Advertising
The Philippines is moving towards a major crackdown on the promotion of online gambling, with lawmakers proposing a nationwide ban that would cover virtually every advertising channel.
House Bill 10982, also known as the Online Gambling Advertising Prohibition Act of 2026, was filed by Karen Hope Garcia, the Representative for the Third District of Cebu, and is awaiting its first reading. If approved, the bill would prohibit online gambling advertisements on TV, radio, in print and on billboards, as well as on social media, websites, in apps and on search engines, and in email and SMS campaigns.
The proposed legislation would also prevent celebrities, influencers, vloggers and affiliate marketers from endorsing or promoting online gambling platforms. Offenders could face fines ranging from around $8,000 to $160,000, licence cancellation and up to three years in prison. Public figures could also be required to return endorsement fees and face a five-year ban on gambling promotions.
Land-based gambling, including physical casinos, lotteries, horse racing and legal cockfighting, would remain outside the scope of the bill. The legislation also calls for stricter age and identity checks for online gambling accounts.
This comes as digital gambling is expanding rapidly. In 2025, online gaming accounted for 50.77% of the Philippines' gross gaming revenue of around $6.32 billion, overtaking land-based casinos for the first time. A parallel proposal from Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero suggests growing political momentum behind tougher regulation.
