Senator Win Gatchalian called on the  Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to take decisive action against the growing online gambling problem by disallowing e-wallet providers from linking directly to gambling platforms.

In a statement on Friday, Gatchalian urged the BSP to issue regulations that would prevent digital wallets from offering direct access to online casinos and other gambling websites. 

The access of e-wallets to such platforms is fueling a surge in gambling addiction, particularly among young Filipinos.

“The BSP should prohibit e-wallets from providing direct links to online gambling platforms. By severing this direct connection, the BSP can protect countless Filipinos from the destructive cycle of gambling addiction,” Gatchalian said.

He explained that the ease of access provided by digital wallets, some of which allow users to connect and transfer funds to gambling sites within seconds, has contributed to rising cases of financial distress and addiction among users.

“Pwede nang i-ban ng BSP ‘yung connection ng e-wallets sa mga online gambling. Ito kasi ang isang nagiging pinto sa pagsusugal ng mga kababayan natin dahil napakabilis nilang maka-connect sa mga online gambling sites (The BSP can already ban the connection between e-wallets and online gambling. This has become one of the gateways to gambling for our fellow Filipinos because it’s so easy for them to connect to online gambling sites),” he added.

Gatchalian has long advocated for tighter controls on online gambling. 

Earlier this year, he filed a bill proposing stricter regulation of the sector. A key provision of the bill would ban non-bank electronic money issuers, including popular e-wallet providers, from embedding direct links—whether through app buttons, URLs, or hyperlinks—to gambling websites.

The senator emphasized that the government has a responsibility to create regulatory firewalls that protect vulnerable Filipinos, particularly minors and low-income earners, from the dangers of online gambling.