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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BSP orders removal of online gambling links from e-wallets within 48 hours, but senators not happy with delay

BSP orders removal of online gambling links from e-wallets within 48 hours, but senators not happy with delay

Published Aug 14, 2025 02:18 pm

At A Glance

  • Senators criticized the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for acting only on the day of a Senate hearing to order e-wallet companies to remove online gambling links within 48 hours. They questioned the delay and urged faster action to curb illegal betting.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has ordered e-wallet applications to remove within 48 hours all online gambling links that appear on their respective platforms.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan (Mark Balmores)
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan (Mark Balmores)
The BSP gave this order on the day of the Senate hearing of the Committee on Games and Amusement on the paint of online gambling on Thursday, Aug. 14. Senator Erwin Tulfo presided over the hearing.
It was Senator Rodante Marcoleta who first stated that the BSP should issue a suspension order on e-wallet platforms, to deny links to all these online game platforms.
"The Monetary Board of the BSP has approved our policy, that we ask, or we order, direct the BSP-supervised institutions to take down and remove all icons and links redirecting to online gambling sites," BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan said.
But Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, chairman of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, questioned why the BSP acted only on the day of the Senate hearing.
“Can you clarify? May order na kayo na tanggalin (You have an order to remove) [gambling] links, so ‘di sumusunod [ang e-wallet apps] sa inyo (So they did not follow you)? I-open niyo GCash niyo ngayon, nandyan pa link (If you open your Gcash app now, the links are still there) [ng gambling sites,]” Cayetano told Tangonan.
The senator said he personally checked a staff member’s phone and saw that links to online gambling were still available on the e-wallet app.
Tangonan admitted that it was only on that day when the BSP gave e-wallet companies 48 hours to remove the links.
Cayetano pointed out that the BSP had already circulated a proposal to e-wallet operators last July. He also highlighted complaints that e-wallets were being used for illegal online gambling.
“I know sa banking very conservative, you have a very good reputation. Nag-circulate kayo ng proposal sa mga e-wallet at hinintay niyo pa ang kanilang reply, tapos today lang kayo nag-order? Kasi may hearing today? (You circulated a proposal to the e-wallet companies and even waited for their reply, and now you’re only issuing the order today? Just because there’s a hearing today?)” he said.
“We’re not passing the blame to the Central Bank, we are sharing the blame. I have received complaints that yung ibang e-wallets, pati sa illegal ginagamit ang e-wallet (some e-wallets are being used for illegal activities). Having said that, it is a bigger problem. I found it lacking political will,” he added.
He challenged the 48-hour grace period and asked the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) if it is possible to remove the links immediately. The DICT confirmed it was possible.
“Why do we give them 48 hours pa kung sure naman kayo? Kung may mamatay ng 48 hours kasi nalulong doon, OK lang sa atin or sayang lang kita?” Cayetano said.
(Why do we give them 48 hours if you’re sure of it?  If somebody dies within 48 hours due to addiction, will that be OK with us or are we going to regret lost profit?)
Tangonan explained that the 48 hours was meant to give time for both the removal of in-app links and icons to online gambling sites, and for consumers to withdraw their funds from online gaming accounts before the links are removed.
According to Tangonan, all gambling site links on e-wallet platforms should be gone by the end of business on Saturday, Aug. 16.
Tulfo warned Tangonan that he could be cited for contempt if e-wallet links to online gambling apps are not removed by Sunday, Aug. 17.
“If I see a single link to gambling apps, I will cite you in contempt. The committee is serious—we have a problem, we have a crisis,” Tulfo said. 
“I’m taking your word on this, we’ll give you actually more than 48 hours. So Sunday morning, we will not see online gambling games anymore and no more links of any sort will be accessible on e-wallets,” he added.  
He also stressed that the Central Bank, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and other law enforcement agencies should provide concrete solutions to curb social ills wrought by online gambling, in the next hearings. 
Meanwhile, Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri wants e-wallet applications to no longer be used for betting on online gambling platforms. He added that what happens now is while the online gambling links are no longer present in e-wallet apps, they can still use them to top up and place bets.

Related Tags

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Alan Peter Cayetano Erwin Tulfo online gambling Migz Zubiri rodante marcoleta
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