Sen. Gatchalian proposes stricter online gambling rules

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has proposed a bill seeking stricter regulations for online gambling in the Philippines to combat rising gambling addiction, particularly among the youth.

The proposed measure aims to prevent online gambling providers from operating underground by not imposing a total ban.

Key provisions include prohibiting the use of GCash for online gambling transactions, raising the minimum age for gambling from 18 to 21, setting a minimum bet of P10,000, and a top-up limit of P5,000.

The bill also introduces penal provisions against regulatory agencies that fail to perform their duties, potentially leading to lawsuits, dismissal, and imprisonment.

Furthermore, the proposed legislation bans gambling sponsorships of public events and campaign donations, while requiring regulators to allocate a portion of fees for gambling addiction rehabilitation centers.