A Philippine lawmaker has filed legislation seeking a nationwide prohibition on online gambling advertising, promotion, endorsements and sponsorships.
Cebu Third District Representative Karen Hope Garcia introduced House Bill 10982, titled the Online Gambling Advertising Prohibition Act of 2026. The proposal would apply across television, radio, print, billboards, websites, social media, mobile applications, search engines, email and SMS.
Influencer, creator and affiliate marketing would be covered, alongside sponsorships involving sports, concerts and other events. Public figures would be prohibited from endorsing online gambling brands, while promotions using bonuses, free bets and referral codes would also be banned.
The bill includes cross-promotion provisions under which advertising a land-based product sharing a brand with an online gambling platform would be treated as online gambling marketing.
It would not change the legal status of licensed gambling itself.
Advertising for non-online activities, including licensed casinos, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office lotteries and sweepstakes, horseracing and licensed cockfighting, could continue subject to responsible-gaming notices, content standards and other restrictions.
News reporting, academic discussion and government communications would be exempt.
Operators found in breach could face fines ranging from PHP500,000 ($8,000) to PHP10m and licence suspension or revocation, while wilful violations could carry imprisonment of up to three years.
Public figures could face financial penalties, repayment of endorsement fees and endorsement bans lasting between three and five years.
Platforms, media businesses, advertising-technology companies and internet service providers could be fined PHP50,000 for each day of non-compliance, with possible licence revocation.
Garcia cited concerns about exposure among young and financially vulnerable consumers, as well as World Health Organization guidance on gambling-related harm.
The bill must progress through the legislative process before becoming law.
Cebu City previously adopted a resolution restricting gambling advertising and is considering a local ordinance that has raised questions over national jurisdiction, online enforcement and the treatment of regulator-approved promotions.
The national proposal also follows a period of rapid growth and subsequent contraction in Philippine online gaming.
Online gaming generated PHP201.12bn in 2025, overtaking land-based casinos to account for more than half of PAGCOR’s PHP396.14bn total
