Online gambling activity in the Philippines plunged by 50% after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) ordered e-wallet providers to remove links to gambling sites—just days after Senator Alan Peter Cayetano grilled central bank officials during a Senate hearing for their delayed response.

At the August 14 Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on online gambling, Cayetano criticized BSP’s “lack of political will,” questioning why the agency waited until the day of the hearing to issue its directive, despite having consulted e-wallet operators as early as July.

He also took issue with the 48-hour grace period given to e-wallet firms, arguing that BSP should have acted immediately. Cayetano pressed BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan, saying:

“We’re giving them 48 hours na hindi naman nila kailangan? DICT just said it can be done in an instant. Wala ba kayong ITs sa Central Bank or nasasayangan kayo sa two days?”

He added: “Kung may mamatay [within] 48 hours kasi nalulong doon, OK lang sa atin or kasi sayang kita?”

Later that same day, BSP issued Memorandum No. 2025-29, directing e-wallet platforms to remove in-app features that promote or provide access to online gambling sites. The order also applied to banks, payment apps, and other financial institutions under BSP’s supervision.

Following the memo’s enforcement, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) reported a 50% drop in online gambling transactions.

Even before the hearing, Cayetano had warned that enforcement efforts would be futile if online gambling advertisements remained widespread. On July 3, he filed the Anti-Online Gambling Advertisement Act of 2025, which seeks to ban all forms of advertising, marketing, and promotion of online gambling—across TV, radio, internet, social media, print, outdoor platforms, and even corporate sponsorships of sports and cultural events.

The bill is part of Cayetano’s broader campaign to curb online gambling, which he argues contributes to addiction, financial hardship, and family breakdowns.

Senate Bill No. 109 proposes penalties of up to six years in prison or fines of up to ₱5 million for violators, with harsher sanctions for public officials.

“As part of our persistent push toward a total ban on online gambling, we start with cutting off its oxygen—advertising,” Cayetano said.