Filipino city changes gambling advertising laws
Pasig City has clamped down on gambling advertising in a major move aimed at improving the lot of problem gamblers.
The Filipino city has passed Ordinance No. 26 s-2025, banning all gambling-related advertising and promotional materials in public spaces. Authored by Councilor Paul Senogat and announced by Mayor Vico Sotto on December 8, the measure targets the constant exposure to gambling marketing that can worsen addiction.
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The ban covers billboards, LED screens, posters, vehicle ads and other out-of-home promotions, including those on tricycles and pedicabs operating within Pasig. Gambling promotions are now allowed only inside licensed casinos and betting establishments. The ordinance also bars gambling sponsorships of education, sports, cultural or government-linked events, although operators may still support community programs if no branding is displayed.
Sotto praised the legislation as a significant step in protecting vulnerable residents, saying that reduced exposure can help those trying to avoid harmful gambling environments.
Pasig City’s crackdown comes as national regulators tighten their own controls. PAGCOR has begun removing outdoor gambling ads and is developing stricter national standards with the Ad Standards Council, while a bill from Senator Sherwin Gatchalian pushes for tougher rules on online gaming promotions after criticism over their presence on popular payment apps.
The Philippines has regulated forms of online gambling since 2016, but it is only in recent years they have allowed operators to target local customers, with it exploding in popularity. Sports betting, online casinos and lotteries form the basis of the legal gambling industry in the Philippines.
