^ S>ciiatp
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) of tiH’ sipii rfiir^
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session ) 25 AUG 28 A 9 37
RECEIVED 8V.
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 1304
Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo
AN ACT
PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING, PROVIDING
PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Online gambling has significantly expanded with digital
technology, with advertisements now widespread across social media
and major billboards. The accessibility of smartphones and e-wallets
has made gambling more convenient, exposing minors, families, and
vulnerable sectors to its harmful social consequences. Despite
PAGCOR’s projected fl 16.65 billion revenue this year from the rapid
expansion of online gambling, the rise in gambling addiction has
become so severe that it should now be regarded as a national crisis.
This bill seeks to ban all types of online gambling and to impose
sanctions on those involved, including operators, developers,
advertisers, financial service providers, and/or bettors.
All assets and proceeds derived from online gambling shall be
forfeited to the State and utilized to establish a Fund for Rural
Development, which will support infrastructure, livelihood, and
community-based projects in rural areas.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure
is earnestly sought.
ERWIN T. tULFO
Senate
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE TiBiUtr o[ ll|f
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session 25 AUG 28 A 9 37
RECEIVED BY.
SENATE
Senate Bill No. I304
Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo
AN ACT
PROHIBITING ONLINE GAMBLING, PROVIDING
PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Anti-
2 Online Gambling Act. ”
3
4 SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to
5 promote moral values, public order, and the general welfare by
6 prohibiting online gambling and its harmful effects on families, minors
7 and vulnerable sectors.
8
9 SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act:
10
11 a. Online gambling refers to any form of gambling conducted on
12 the internet, including but not limited to casino games, sports
13 betting, sabong, and/or lottery, wherein wagers are plaeed
14 using electronic devices.
15
16 b. Electronic wallet or e-wallet refers to an electronic instrument
17 or device that ean store digital value as defined under Republic
1 Act No. 10210 or the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act
2 (AFASA).
3
4 c. Institutions refers to banks, non-banks, other financial
5 institutions, payments and financial services providers under
6 the jurisdiction of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as
7 defined under Republic Act No. 10210 or the Anti-Financial
8 Account Scamming Act (AFASA).
9
10 d. Person includes natural and juridical persons, including
11 operators, facilitators, agents, institutions, and/or bettors.
12
13 SEC. 4. Prohibited Acts. - All forms of online gambling are
14 strictly prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person, whether natural
15 or juridical, to directly or indirectly:
16
17 a. Operate, develop, distribute, sale, or lease of any
18 software, mobile application, website, or digital
19 platform designed or made for the purpose of
20 conducting, or facilitating online gambling activities.
21
22 b. Place bets or participate on any online gambling
23 activities.
24
25 c. Publish, advertise, campaign or promote online
26 gambling activities through websites, social media
27 platforms, or any other online medium.
28
29 d. Facilitating financial transactions related to online
30 gambling activities including deposit, withdrawal, or
31 transfers made through the use of e-wallets, online
32 banking, or other digital payment systems or
33 technologies.
34
35 SEC. 5. Penalties. - Without prejudice to other existing laws, the
36 following acts shall be penalized:
1 a. Any person found violating Section 3(a) shall be
2 punished with imprisonment of not less than ten (10)
3 years but not more than twelve (12) years or a fine of
4 not less than Two Million Pesos (P2,000,000), or both
5 at the discretion of the court.
6
7 b. Any person found guilty of violating Section 3(b) shall
8 be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6)
9 years but not more than eight (8) years or a fine less
10 than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000), or both
11 at the discretion of the court.
12
13 c. Any person found guilty of violating Section 3(c) shall
14 be punished with imprisonment of not less than four (4)
15 years but not more than six (6) years but not more than
16 eight (years or a fine of not less than One Million Pesos
17 (PI,000,000), or both, at the discretion of the court.
18
19 d. Any person found violating Section 3(d) shall be
20 punished with imprisonment of not less than four (4)
21 years but not more than six (6) years or a fine of not
22 less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000), or
23 both, at the discretion of the court.
24
25 SEC. 6. Comprehensive Ban on Online Gambling Activities - The
26 National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), in coordination with the
27 Philippine National Police (PNP), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
28 the Department of Information and Communications Technology
29 (DICT) and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation
30 (PAGCOR), shall enforce a nationwide ban on all illegal online
31 gambling and related activities.
32
33 The following measures shall be undertaken;
34
35 a. PAGCOR shall coordinate with law enforcement agencies to
36 report any person, group, or entity found to be operating in
37 violation of the provisions of this Act.
1 b. DICT shall immediately block access to all local or foreign-
2 based online gambling websites, applications, and platforms
3 operating in violation of this Act.
4
5 c. BSP shall direct financial institutions under its supervision to
6 monitor, prevent, and block financial transactions related to
7 illegal online gambling activities.
8
9 d. NBI and PNP shall intensify surveillance, investigation, and
10 enforcement operations to identify, apprehend, and prosecute
11 violators.
12
13 Any government official or employee of the agencies mandated
14 under this Section who, through willful neglect, gross inaction, or
15 undue delay, fails to enforce the measures shall be held
16 administratively and, when applicable, criminally liable under existing
17 laws.
18
19 SEC. 7. Fund for Rural Development. - Upon the effectivity of
20 this Act, all proceeds, assets, equipment, and instruments derived from
21 or used in online gambling operations shall be deemed forfeited in
22 favor of the State and shall constitute a Fund for Rural Development.
23
24 The Fund shall be administered by the Department of Agriculture
25 (DA), in coordination with the Department of Public Works and
26 Highways (DPWH), National Electrification Administration (NEA)
27 and National Irrigation Administration (NIA). It shall be utilized
28 exclusively for rural infrastructure projects, livelihood and capacity
29 building programs for farmers and fisherfolk, and other community-
30 based development initiatives in rural areas.
31
32 The Fund shall be subject to audit by the Commission on Audit,
33 and the administering agencies shall submit an annual report to
34 Congress detailing its utilization, status, and impact on rural
35 development.
1 SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30)
2 days from the approval of this Act, the Department of Justice (DOJ), in
3 coordination with the BSP, DICT and PAGCOR, shall promulgate the
4 necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this
5 Act.
6
7 SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of
8 this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions
9 and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones,
10 shall remain in full force and effect.
11
12 SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executives orders,
13 issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent
14 with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
15
16 SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
17 after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2)
18 newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
