Senator Tulfo to Lead Senate Hearings on Online Gambling Ban in Philippines

Senator Erwin Tulfo is preparing to lead Senate hearings on online gambling next week, aiming to build support for a total ban across the Philippines. His proposal challenges the positions of key agencies like PAGCOR and the Department of Finance, which favor regulation and taxation over prohibition.

Good to know

• Online gambling may contribute up to ₱200 billion in taxes this year.
• PAGCOR says licensed platforms verify age and limit access to users 21+.
• Senate Bill No. 47 already calls for a complete ban and has broad backing.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Games and Amusements Committee, announced the hearings during a July 30 press briefing. He said the sessions will include perspectives from government regulators and the executive branch, but also from groups directly affected by the issue—like schools, churches, and parent associations.

He said his stance is clear: “Our stand will be no to online gambling. I can convince the vice chairs and other members.”

Tulfo believes enforcement has failed to curb illegal online operators. He criticized current efforts, saying, “Our law enforcement is not effective. The police arrest them, but in a day or two, they’re back again.” He argued that pushing the industry further underground is unavoidable under any model that relies solely on regulation.

PAGCOR, however, insists that legal platforms already require ID verification and block users under 21. The agency says the bigger issue comes from unauthorized offshore operators targeting Filipino users without oversight.

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto echoed PAGCOR’s concerns. In a separate interview, Recto said banning online gambling entirely could backfire. “Today, my understanding is 60% is illegal and 40% is legal. If you ban it, 100% will become illegal,” he said. Instead, he wants the government to raise taxes on operators and expand regulatory powers.

Recto estimates that fully regulated online gambling could bring in an extra ₱20 billion annually. Officials also expect that around half of the country’s gaming tax revenues this year—roughly ₱100 billion—will come from digital platforms.

Senator Joel Villanueva’s Senate Bill No. 47, which proposes a full ban, is currently one of the chamber’s top 10 priority bills. Several other lawmakers have shown support, including Senators Migz Zubiri, Pia Cayetano, Risa Hontiveros, Robin Padilla, Bato dela Rosa, Kiko Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, and JV Ejercito.

Tulfo has said he’s open to further discussion if a full ban proves too costly for the government, but made it clear where he stands: “If I can have it my way, if you ask me personally, I want this online gambling to stop.”

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