E-wallets given until Saturday to remove online gambling links

Metro Manila, Philippines – E-wallet companies have 48 hours - or until Saturday - to take down links to online gambling sites from their platforms.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued the order on Thursday, Aug. 14, according to BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan, who made the announcement during a Senate hearing.

The committee on games and amusement held a public hearing to discuss proposals to either strictly regulate or completely ban online gambling.

Some senators questioned the decision to give e-wallet providers two days instead of requiring the immediate removal of gambling links.

“We want to give time to the BSP supervised institutions to take down those in app links and icons to online gambling sites,” Tangonan said.

“Within that time, for consumers who may want to take their money out from their online gambling accounts, they may do so,” he added.

Committee chairman Erwin Tulfo warned Tangonan that he would be cited in contempt if gambling links remain visible in e-wallet platforms beyond Saturday.

“Sige, pagbibigyan kita hanggang Saturday. Pag meron pa, iko-contempt ka namin,” Tulfo said.

Tangonan assured the panel that the BSP would also impose sanctions on e-wallet providers who fail to comply.

He added that this is an initial response, and the BSP is still studying other measures, including the possibility of totally prohibiting the use of online payments for online gambling—restricting them to betting stations only.

Tulfo, along with Senators Alan Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Risa Hontiveros, Rodante Marcoleta, Joel Villanueva, and Migz Zubiri, expressed strong support for a total ban on online gambling - but noted that they are open to hearing from stakeholders.