Philippines Central Bank Orders E-Wallets to Remove Casino Links
The Philippines’ central bank has ordered e-wallet providers to remove links to online casinos.
Key Points of the Directive
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan told the Senate that financial institutions — including e-wallets and payment service providers — have been given 48 hours to remove all built-in features and links directing users to iGaming platforms.
According to the directive, all gambling-related icons and links must be removed by the close of business on Saturday, August 16.
Reasons and Context
- The growing accessibility of online gambling via e-wallets such as GCash and Maya has raised concerns about rising addiction rates among younger users.
- Stricter rules are in preparation, including biometric verification, transaction time restrictions, spending limits, and self-exclusion tools — all aimed at reducing risks of fraud, addiction, and financial loss.
Next Steps and Legislative Moves
The central bank is finalizing a new regulatory package that will include:
- biometric identification (including facial recognition),
- daily transfer limits to gambling platforms,
- time-based restrictions on gambling-related transactions (e.g., only during certain hours),
- user controls such as spending caps, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion options.
These measures are being implemented alongside legislative efforts. Senators are reviewing bills that would ban gambling promotion via e-wallets, raise the minimum gambling age, and set minimum top-up amounts.
Summary Table of Changes
| Measure | Description |
|---|---|
| Link Removal | Remove all icons and links to gambling sites from e-wallet apps within 48 hours |
| Identification | Introduce biometric verification for transfers to gambling platforms |
| Limits | Set caps on transaction amounts and allowed hours for transfers |
| User Tools | Allow users to set personal limits, take breaks, or exclude themselves |
| Legislation | Ban advertising, raise age limits, and introduce minimum deposit amounts |
Important to Note
The 48-hour deadline is not meant to delay enforcement but to allow users time to withdraw funds before access is blocked.
The measures aim to strike a balance: curbing abuse, maintaining access to legal payments, and ensuring the growth of digital services is not hindered.
Conclusion
This move is part of a broader central bank strategy to protect consumers and manage the risks of online gambling.