MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a bill seeking to ban online gambling access through e-wallets and super apps, citing the increasing number of Filipinos falling into addiction and debt due to the easy access provided by digital platforms.

“Phones are not casinos. Naging masyadong madali ang malulong sa sugal dahil napaka-accessible nito sa mga e-wallets at super apps,” Hontiveros said. “Napakarami sa ating mga kababayan ang nabaon sa patong-patong na utang dahil sa e-sugal na lalong pinadali ng mga e-wallets. Para sa iba, buhay ang naging kapalit, dahil isang pindot lang ang kailangan,” she added.

Senate Bill No. [XX] also proposes prohibiting individuals below 21 years old from accessing online gambling platforms. It seeks to ban advertisements promoting online gambling across public spaces, traditional media, and social media.

“Tutuldukan na rin natin ang sangkaterbang billboards, commercials, at social media ads na nanghihikayat na magsugal. Para na itong panghihikayat na malugmok ang ating mga kababayan. Wala na dapat ineenganyo ang bisyong ito,” Hontiveros said.

The proposed legislation also tasks the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to impose daily, weekly, and monthly betting and loss limits. Reaching these limits would result in a minimum 30-day suspension of the user’s gaming account.

“Dahil walang limitasyon ngayon sa pagsusugal, ang nangyayari tuloy ay unli-sugal na madalas humanatong sa unli-lustay. Unli-utang at unli-problema din ang hatid nito sa ating mga kababayan, kaya dapat bigyan ng hangganan ang pag-gasta,” Hontiveros said.

The bill further proposes a minimum 10% tax on gross online gambling revenues. Proceeds would be allocated for the treatment and rehabilitation of gambling addiction, public education campaigns, monitoring and enforcement initiatives, and research.

“Tulungan nating makabangon ang mga kababayan nating nalulong sa sugal at siguraduhin nating wala nang iba pa ang malululong dito. One life lost to gambling is one too many,” Hontiveros said.

She added, “I hope that my colleagues in the Senate will unite against the scourge of online gambling and heed the call of the public to tighten its regulations.”

A counterpart bill in the House of Representatives was also filed Monday by Akbayan Reps. Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Kiram Ismula, as well as Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.