Bam welcomes BSP crackdown on e-gambling, renews call for total ban

Senator Bam Aquino on Saturday welcomed the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)’s move ordering electronic wallet providers to cut connections with online gambling platforms, calling it a major step toward protecting Filipino families from the social harms of e-gambling.

“Masaya kami na ang BSP na mismo ang nagsabi na i-delink ang mga e-wallet sa e-gambling sites. We welcome this development and urge e-wallet providers to decouple from online gambling entirely,” Aquino said in a statement.

On Thursday, the BSP gave e-wallet giants 48 hours to remove icons and links to online gambling platforms. In response, both GCash and Maya—two of the country’s largest e-wallet providers—committed to complying with the directive.

Aquino expressed optimism that the central bank’s directive could be a turning point in the fight against the proliferation of e-gambling, which he described as a growing threat to society.

“Kapag nangyari ito, mas hihina ang online gambling sa ating bansa. Ang hinahanap talaga natin ay total ban,” he said. “I think PAGCOR and the President have big decisions to make.”

The senator was among several lawmakers who earlier voiced strong support for Senate President Miguel Zubiri’s July 30 privilege speech highlighting the harmful effects of online gambling.

In a recent Senate interpellation, Aquino criticized the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for what he called a “double standard” in its gambling policies.

While PAGCOR prohibits gambling establishments within 300 meters of schools, churches, and other public places, Aquino pointed out that online gambling is allowed on mobile phones that are practically always within arm’s reach.

“Absurdity iyon. Ipagbabawal mo ang isang bagay pero pinapayagan mo ang isang bagay na hindi lang 300 meters, 3 centimeters lang mula sa katawan mo,” he said.

Aquino called on PAGCOR and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to act decisively and end online gambling once and for all.

“Sana unahan na tayo ng PAGCOR at ng Presidente at tuluyan nang itigil ang online gambling,” he added.

The BSP directive comes amid increasing calls from lawmakers and civil society groups for stricter regulation or an outright ban of e-gambling operations.