Half-year jail time for a bet: Philippines considers online gambling ban

A new law has been introduced in the Philippine parliament with the aim of prohibiting all forms of online gambling in the country. According to Gambling Industry News, if the law is passed, individuals and organizations involved in online gambling could face fines and imprisonment.

The proposed law highlights that managers and partners of companies operating online gambling platforms could be sentenced to up to five years in prison or fined over $9,000. Moreover, government officials or public sector employees found guilty of online betting may face job termination and be ineligible for future government positions.

Participating in online gambling could result in imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of around $9,000 for citizens of the Philippines.

“Despite online gambling being a source of revenue for the budget, it is not worth putting people, especially minors, at risk of addictive behavior, mental health issues, and financial problems,” emphasized the explanatory note to the law.

Notably, this stance contrasts with the position of the Philippine gambling regulator (PAGCOR), which announced plans to develop the industry of offshore operators several months ago, citing their significant contribution to the national economy through taxes and employment opportunities for approximately 25,000 Filipinos.

It is worth mentioning that PAGCOR’s revenues in 2022 amounted to $1.08 billion.