Pasig City bans all gambling ads and promotions

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto announced a ban on all forms of gambling advertisements and promotions through Ordinance No. 26 s-2025.

This ordinance prohibits gambling marketing in public spaces, including billboards, LED screens, posters, building wraps, leaflets, and transit ads on tricycles, pedicabs, and terminals.

Sponsorships of city-led events by gambling operators are also banned.

Mayor Sotto emphasized that this measure aims to protect individuals from constant reminders and encouragement to engage in gambling, which can contribute to addiction and ruin lives.

He acknowledged the city's limitations in regulating virtual or national platforms but stressed the importance of controlling local advertising to curb the issue.

Pasig City was also the first local government to ban both Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and computer gambling shops in 2022, building on the new ordinance.

The new ban covers any promotional content that encourages gambling, except within the physical premises of licensed casinos and betting outlets.