Philippine senator backs total ban on gambling ads

The Philippines’ troubled gaming industry could suffer another hit if lawmakers pass a planned blanket ban on advertising.

Senator Francis Escudero has advocated for a total ad blackout of the gambling sector to combat gambling addiction and the exposure of adolescents to gambling activity.

‘It’s about time,’ Escudero added, ‘that gaming gets the same treatment as a similar prohibition on tobacco goods that’s been in place since 2008.

“This measure aims to create a more responsible gaming environment that protects minors and other similarly vulnerable persons, promotes informed consumer choice and advances the public interest,” Escudero stated.

Senate Bill 2347 would prohibit gambling ads on TV, radio, print, online and social media. The new guidelines would also ban celebrity endorsements and influencer campaigns.

Those who fail to comply with this directive could be fined up to P500,000 or imprisoned for a period of up to three years.

The volume of gambling advertising has already been targeted by the country’s gaming regulator, PAGCOR, which has imposed a blackout on TV and radio ads between ‘primetime’ hours of 5.30pm to 8.30pm.

PAGCOR’s chair and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco also told Senators that the body is looking into the potential of a total ban on gambling advertising in a similar vein as is being advocated by Escudero.

A complete prohibition on advertising would have a big impact on an industry already suffering considerable headwinds, chiefly from the economic impacts of geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East.

Earlier this week, PAGCOR said revenue in the first half of the year was down 27% to P38.9bn (£472.3m) vs 2025, mostly due to a 41.85% drop in revenue from iGaming to P38.9bn (£472.3m).

It’s a big worry but the industry should be able to take some solace from what appears to be a lack of appetite from lawmakers to make large changes to gaming regulation.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri’s Anti-internet Gambling Act of 2025 was submitted last year and shook the sector with a proposed full ban on internet gambling.

Zubiri termed the gambling addiction in the Philippines as a rising ‘silent epidemic’ and a ‘social disease that will keep on festering’.

The measure was filed almost a year ago and has not moved much. It has been stuck in committee since 30 July 2025. Neither was the bill given priority when the new Senate leadership was set up in May by President Ferdinand Marcos.