Philippine Senator Calls for Crackdown on Online Gambling Embedded in Apps and E-Commerce Sites

Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on August 18 urged regulators to move swiftly against online gambling operators accused of embedding their services within some of the country’s most widely used digital platforms, including messaging applications such as Viber and Telegram, as well as e-commerce sites like Lazada.

His appeal comes in the wake of a directive issued last week by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which compelled major e-wallet providers GCash and Maya to cut ties with online gambling operators.

According to the Philippine News Agency, Gatchalian condemned the trend as a “malicious and predatory practice” that is infiltrating popular digital spaces. He called on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to immediately order the removal of online gambling portals from messaging services and e-commerce platforms accessible in the Philippines.

Emphasizing the speed at which these gambling operations are spreading, the senator warned of the danger of allowing mobile phones and digital apps to be transformed into gambling hubs. He underscored that these technologies were designed to improve convenience for Filipinos, not to be exploited by operators seeking to profit at their expense.

At the same time, Gatchalian acknowledged that outright prohibitions may not be sufficient to stem the problem. Citing e-sabong, which continues to operate despite a government ban, he cautioned that a blanket ban could drive operators underground, making oversight more difficult and placing vulnerable citizens — especially young people — at greater risk. Instead, he advocated for tougher regulation paired with effective enforcement mechanisms.

Gatchalian has long pressed for tighter restrictions on online gambling, previously filing legislation to curb the industry amid rising concerns over addiction. He has tied the spread of online gambling to a surge in social problems, including crime and mental health struggles, warning that the phenomenon is “ruining lives and dreams.”

Meanwhile, Senator Erwin Tulfo introduced a proposal aimed at restricting payments for online gambling strictly to bank transactions. Tulfo argued that by imposing minimum deposit and withdrawal requirements, regulators could deter lower-income Filipinos from participating, since many lack access to bank accounts. He pointed out that drivers, workers, and students are increasingly falling into debt because of their gambling activity.

The Senate has announced plans to summon representatives of e-wallet providers, banks, telecom companies, and the BSP to explain why gambling transactions continue to flow despite official directives intended to cut off platform access.

By fLEXI tEAM