Senators file bills seeking nationwide ban on online gambling

Senators Loren Legarda and Raffy Tulfo have filed separate bills seeking a nationwide ban on online gambling and its promotion, citing negative social impacts, particularly on minors.

Legarda's bill specifically targets all forms of online gambling, including online casinos, e-sabong, digital lotteries, virtual slots, and sports betting.

She highlighted that the accessibility of online gambling has exposed vulnerable sectors, including minors, students, and low-income individuals, to addiction, exploitation, and financially ruinous behavior.

The proposed legislation also aims to prohibit the publishing, advertising, and endorsing of gambling-related content online.

Furthermore, the bills seek to task the Department of Justice, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the National Telecommunications Commission with coordinating to issue takedown or blocking orders for illegal gambling sites and content.

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go had previously filed Senate Bill No. 686, proposing a total ban on online gambling due to its detrimental effects on Filipinos and public morals.