Joselito Malig

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ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1755160090455GyR2a0GaoAA4dyc.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Members of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement hold a hearing on online gambling on Aug. 14, 2025. </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED)</strong> — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has ordered e-wallet platforms to remove their in-app links which connect users to online gambling sites.</p><p> BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan announced that they gave the order today, the same day that the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement held its first hearing on the controversial online gambling.</p><p>Senator Alan Peter Cayetano called out BSP, however, after finding out that the links were still present in an e-wallet platform that he checked.</p><p>In-app links and ads make it easier for e-wallet users to place bets.</p><p>The BSP explained that it is giving e-wallet platforms 48 hours or until the end of Saturday, August 16, to comply.</p><p>“Be very clear here kasi hindi lokohan ‘tong hearing na to eh. Di ba? Sana sinabi niyo kanina—Sir, it took us time and everything but we’re giving them 48 hours,” Cayetano remarked.</p><p>Senator Joel Villanueva disagreed with the 48 hours and said the removal of in-app links should be done right away.</p><p>“It is not acceptable yung answer bakit kailangan ng 48 hours? We wanted to protect the public eh. Namamatay na nga yung mga tao eh,” Villanueva commented.</p><p>Prior to this, Senator Rodante Marcoleta said the BSP should act on the in-app links.</p><p>“I believe the BSP should issue a suspension order to e-wallet platforms to deny links to all these game, online game platforms,” Marcoleta said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>&#x27;A GROWING MENACE&#x27;</strong></div><p>Villanueva and Cayetano initially said there is no need for a grace period, as the online gambling supposedly become a &quot;growing menace.&quot;</p><p>Tangonan gave two reasons for the 48 hours.</p><p>He said, “We want to give time to the BSP supervised institutions to take down those in-app links and icons to the online gambling sites. The other reason, your honor, is so that we will also provide time for the customers, for the consumers to withdraw their funds from the online gaming account.”</p><p>Committee Chair Senator Erwin Tulfo gave Tangonan a stern warning.</p><p>“Pag Sunday morning meron pa pong mga games sa mga e-wallet, Sir, ico-contempt ka namin,” Tulfo said.</p><p>“Yes, your honor,” replied Tangonan, saying they will also sanction the concerned BSP supervised institutions.</p><p>In a statement, e-wallet platform GCash said it will follow the BSP directive.</p><p>“GCash will fully comply with the bangko sentral ng pilipinas’ (BSP) proactive directive to remove links and icons that connect payment apps to online gambling platforms.”</p><p>It added, “We share the BSP’s commitment to ensuring that digital financial services are used responsibly and in ways that protect the welfare of filipinos. Once we receive the official directive, we will immediately enforce the necessary changes to ensure compliance and safeguard our users.”</p><p>Villanueva said that people in the country were placing bets even while the hearing was going on.</p><p>&quot;As we speak right now mayroong kinabukasan na masisira kapag hindi po tayo umaksiyon,&quot; he said.</p><p>(As we speak right now, there are futures beign destroyed if we don&#x27;t act now)</p><p>Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, citing crimes and addiction related to online gambling, said it may be worse than the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators that have already been banned over incidents of human trafficking, torture and scam activity.</p><p>&quot;That is blood on the hands of the operators and regulators,&quot; he said.</p><p>Majority of Senators in the hearing were unanimous in calling for a total ban on online gambling, which Tulfo called a menace.</p><p>“It does not matter whether it is legal or illegal, licensed or unlicensed — online gambling is destroying our lives,” Tulfo emphasized. “In the face of this crisis, there is only one moral choice, ladies and gentlemen: end online gambling now!”</p><p>Senator Pia Cayetano, for her part, said, “The position of those who are pro-gambling, just like government is let’s regulate. Regulate lang natin yan kayang kaya natin yan. They argue that the gambling business will just go underground… How many lives are worth the extra revenue to government?” </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/9/pagcor-assures-strict-measures-in-protecting-players-of-online-gambling-1922"><strong>PAGCOR assures strict measures in protecting players of online gambling</strong></a></div><div><br/><strong>REGULATE INSTEAD OF BAN</strong></div><p>According to data from regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., more than 32 million Filipinos participate in licensed online gambling.</p><p>PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco admits the system is not perfect, but maintained that a stricter regulation is needed instead of a total ban.</p><p>“Meron din pong nakakalusot kapag ang gamit nila ay mga fake na identification. Pero ang natitiyak po namin, mahigpit po naming ipinatutupad yung pagrerehistro ng dalawampu’t isang taong gulang lamang pataas ang makapaglalaro,” Tengco said.</p><p> PAGCOR is also considering having users place bets in betting stations instead of through their phones.</p><p> Tengco insisted illegal sites are the problem which is why they are closely coordinating with other government agencies such as the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).</p><p> According to Tengco, almost 8,000 of the more than 11,000 illegal online gambling sites have been taken down, but new illegal sites are quick to take their place.</p><p> This year, PAGCOR expects to earn P70 billion from online gambling, part of which will be used to fund Philhealth, the Philippine Sports Commission, and other offices and programs.</p><p> Tulfo said they are disappointed with PAGCOR and the BSP. Another hearing will be held before the end of August where e-wallet platforms will be invited.<strong> -- with reports from Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1AkNvm6Nu4s?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>At a hearing of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan said the central bank is giving the apps a grace period to give them time to comply and to let bettors withdraw their money from gambling accounts.</p>

At a hearing of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan said the central bank is giving the apps a grace period to give them time to comply and to let bettors withdraw their money from gambling accounts.

BSP: E-wallets have until August 16 to remove in-app links to online gambling

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BSP: E-wallets have until August 16 to remove in-app links to online gambling

ABS-CBN News

Published August 14, 2025 04:34 PM PHT

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Updated August 14, 2025 09:33 PM PHT

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