Escudero pushes bill banning gambling ads, sponsorships
Senator Chiz Escudero has filed a bill seeking a nationwide ban on gambling advertisements and sponsorships to discourage compulsive betting and protect minors from promotions.
Adopting the same approach as Republic Act No. 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, Escudero said that Senate Bill No. 2347 aims to impose similar rules on gambling promotions by banning advertisements on television, radio, print, online, and social media platforms.
The proposed ban also covers celebrity endorsements and influencer promotions, as well as requires authorized gambling-related communications to include responsible gambling reminders to warn the public about the risks of compulsive gambling.
He also noted that the Ad Standards Council recently introduced a voluntary self-regulation policy that bars gambling-related images and paraphernalia from advertisements across all media platforms.
Although he acknowledged the gaming industry's P396.13 billion in gross gaming revenues in 2025, Escudero said stronger safeguards are needed to curb excessive and irresponsible gambling.
Under the measure, gambling operators and advertisers will have a one-year transition period to remove existing promotional materials and comply with the new rules.
Violators face fines of up to P200,000 or one year in prison for a first offense, P300,000 or two years for a second, and P500,000 or three years for a third, along with the revocation of business permits or licenses. Corporate officers may also be held liable, while foreign nationals found guilty could face deportation.
In 2025, celebrities came under scrutiny for promoting online gambling, with many questioning whether such endorsements were legal and ethical.
Sen. Win Gatchalian filed a bill looking to impose stricter e-gambling regulations to help fight the growing addiction among users, especially the youth. Under the proposed measure, betting games linked to e-wallets will be banned, and the minimum cash-in amount will be set at P10,000, a significant increase from the cash-in requirement of P50 on some sites, to "discourage impulsive and easy access to gambling platforms."
The bill, which remains pending in committee, seeks to prohibit gambling sponsorships of public events and campaign donations, and will mandate regulators to allocate a portion of collected regulatory fees for the establishment of gambling addiction rehabilitation centers.
Sen. Migz Zubiri, who is seeking a total ban on online gambling through Senate Bill No.142 or the "Anti-Online Gambling Act," previously appealed to celebrities to stop using their influence to promote online gambling.
"Nakikita ninyo naman 'yung nangyayari ngayon, baka puwede na kayong mag-pull out mismo," Zubiri said in a July 7 press briefing, stressing that online gambling, which he described as "a silent epidemic," is financially harming the youth. "Alam kong malaki ang bayad sa inyo, but pag-isipan ninyo naman na nangyayari na 'yun sa ating mga kabataan, sa ating mga kababayan."
