On March 30, 2026, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) announced that its new payment structure for gambling fees will be postponed from April 2026 to June 2026...
Senator Francis Escudero has introduced a new bill that aims to impose a blanket ban on gambling ads in the Philippines, which will cover TV, social media, radio, and print.
According to Senate Bill 2347, sponsorships and celebrity endorsements of gambling products would also be prohibited, and companies found in violation of the law would face fines of up to $8,000 and up to 3 years of prison time. In cases where the violator is a foreign national, the individual would be deported from the Philippines.
Senator Escudero further cited the previous ban on tobacco products, arguing that a similar approach must be considered for the gambling industry.
Senator Escudero commented:
“This measure seeks to foster a more responsible gaming environment that protects minors and similarly vulnerable persons, promotes informed consumer choice, and advances public interest.”
The Senator additionally stressed that the expansion of gambling ads had raised concerns over the physical and mental health of the public, with the proposed bill aiming to introduce a voluntary self-regulation system that was first issued by the Ad Standards Council, which allows banning gambling imagery.
If the bill is approved, operators would receive a 1-year grace period, during which they would have to remove any existing promotional materials. After this period, enforcement action would be conducted through penalties.
