Philippines: BSP orders e-wallets to cut links to online gambling sites within 48 hours
Senators press for immediate removal amid growing concerns over gambling harm.
Key points:
– Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas gives e-wallets two days to remove in-app gambling links
– Senators criticise delay, insisting removal can be done instantly
– Hearing reveals nearly 12,000 illegal online gambling sites in the country
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has directed all e-wallet providers to unlink their platforms from online gambling sites within 48 hours, The Inquirer reported. The instruction was disclosed during a Senate committee hearing on games and amusement, where senators questioned the regulator’s timeline.
BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan confirmed that e-wallet operators had been told to take down features and links leading to gambling platforms. However, users can still access these sites directly and use e-wallets for payments, as the order only covers in-app connections.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano criticised the 48-hour window, arguing that technical staff should be able to disable such links immediately. He accused the central bank of giving operators unnecessary time. Committee Chair Senator Erwin Tulfo echoed the frustration, warning that if gambling links remained visible after the deadline, he would cite BSP officials for contempt.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva also rejected the BSP’s justification, stressing that urgent action was needed to protect the public. He referred to reported cases of suicides linked to online gambling losses, noting that the human cost far outweighed technical excuses for delay.
In response, Tangonan explained that the two-day period was intended to give e-wallet providers sufficient time to prepare and inform customers of the changes. He nevertheless agreed to be held accountable if the links were not removed by the committee’s deadline.
Good to know: Data presented to the committee showed 11,985 illegal gambling sites operating in the Philippines, including 6,363 online casino games and 4,815 online cockfighting sites
Lawmakers said they expect compliance by the end of Saturday, after which they will review further measures to curb online gambling activities across the country.
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