On August 18, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged regulators to crack down on online gambling operators embedding their platforms in popular digital apps such as Viber, Telegram, and Lazada.
His call came after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) ordered GCash and Maya to cut ties with gambling platforms last week.
According to the Philippine News Agency, Gatchalian described the practice as “malicious and predatory.” He warned that gambling companies are turning mobile phones and apps into betting hubs. These platforms were designed to make life more convenient for Filipinos. He pressed PAGCOR, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to immediately remove gambling sites from messaging and e-commerce platforms.
Gatchalian said regulators must act quickly before these platforms spread further. He argued that a simple ban would not solve the issue. He pointed to e-sabong, which continues to thrive underground despite a government ban. Instead, he called for stricter rules backed by strong enforcement to protect vulnerable Filipinos, especially the youth.
The senator also linked the rise of online gambling to crime, debt, and mental health problems. Addiction, he noted, destroys lives and dreams.
Meanwhile, Senator Erwin Tulfo proposed restricting payments for online gambling to bank transactions only. He also suggested setting minimum deposit and withdrawal requirements. He said these measures would discourage low-income Filipinos—such as drivers, workers, and students—from betting, since many of them do not own bank accounts.
The Senate will summon e-wallet firms, banks, telecom companies, and the BSP to explain how gambling payments continue despite repeated restrictions.
