Online gambling banned for DILG employees, local officials

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has banned its personnel, as well as officials in local government units, from accessing online gambling platforms and engaging in e-gambling.

The order came amid legislative proposals to regulate or completely ban online gambling in the country, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also announcing he will hear the positions of various sectors to formulate a policy.

In Memorandum Circular No. 2025-082 dated Tuesday, Aug. 12, the DILG defined online gambling as “any kind of gambling conducted via the internet except those operated/regulated by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.”

The DILG said it expanded a 2016 memorandum circular issued by the Office of the President, which prohibited government officials and employees from casinos.

“Reports have reached this Department that many government officials and employees have been engaging in online gambling activities which is similar to the evil sought to be prevented by Memorandum Circular No. 06, series of 2016,” the document read.

“The original intent of Memorandum Circular No. 06, series of 2016, has been undermined by the proliferation and accessibility of online gambling platforms, which now pose a similar, if not greater, threat to the ethical standards expected of public officials and employees,” it added.

The new policy covers all elected and appointed officials from barangay to provincial level, DILG Central Office and Field Office personnel, and officials and employees of DILG-attached agencies.

The DILG said violators will face administrative and/or criminal sanctions under pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.

The order takes effect immediately.