Legarda, Tulfo file bills to ban online gambling

Senators Loren Legarda and Raffy Tulfo have filed separate bills to ban online gambling and its promotion in the Philippines.

Legarda's bill aims to comprehensively prohibit all forms of online gambling and restrict the publication, advertising, and endorsement of related content, citing the accessibility of these platforms as exposing vulnerable groups like minors and low-income individuals to addiction and financial harm.

The proposed legislation would task government agencies such as the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) with coordinating takedown orders for gambling sites, while internet service providers must comply within 48 hours or face penalties.

Violators could face imprisonment ranging from six months to a year and fines of up to P500,000, while companies may incur fines of up to P1 million and responsible officers could serve up to three years in prison.

Legarda emphasized that unregulated gambling has led to significant financial harm and psychological risks for vulnerable individuals, including minors and low-income families, and urged an end to the glorification of online gambling.