Philippines Prohibits Online Gambling for Public Servants
The Philippines’ Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has implemented a blanket ban on online gambling for all local government officials and employees. The directive, signed by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, warns that officials caught gambling online will face both criminal and administrative penalties.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:According to Remulla, public servants must uphold the integrity of their office, as enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, and that activities such as online gambling undermine these values.
In addition to the DILG and local government units, the ban extends to the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, and several other government bodies.
The ban has triggered a mixed reaction in the jurisdiction, with some hailing it as a way to promote responsible gambling among public servants. Representative Eddie Villanueva of CIBAC party-list praised the decision, emphasizing that it underscores the importance of public servants maintaining the highest levels of integrity and accountability.
Villanueva is also intensifying his advocacy for a complete ban on online gambling nationwide, asserting that the societal costs of addiction far exceed any potential revenue gains for the government. He believes that a total prohibition on online gambling would be a more effective way to shield citizens from the risks and social fallout associated with problem gambling.
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The DILG's directive represents a major step forward in enforcing stricter internal conduct standards for public officials. It comes at a strategic time when the topic of online gambling is at the forefront of public debate in the Philippines, with many calling for greater regulation.
In March 2025, the country’s central bank, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) released draft guidelines for digital marketplace operations that explicitly prohibit banks and electronic money issuers (EMIs) from offering products related to gambling.
The Senate Committee on Games and Amusement has also launched an investigation into the industry's negative effects, which will likely shape the fate of several bills that could impact the sector's future.
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