Tightening regulations on online payment methods for gambling in the Philippines announced.
New BSP Regulations Aim to Curb Online Gambling and Promote Financial Health
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced new regulations on August 7, 2025, aimed at controlling the surge in online gambling transactions and promoting responsible use of digital financial services.
On August 14, 2025, the BSP issued a directive to all BSP-Supervised Institutions (BSIs), including e-wallet platforms, to remove in-app gambling access from their mobile payment apps and websites within 48 hours. This action follows public concerns over the financial health impact of online gambling on consumers.
The regulations mandate the removal of any embedded links or features that facilitate in-app access to online gaming or gambling sites. While direct payments to gambling sites via e-wallets remain possible, the BSP has prohibited the convenience of in-app access.
The Monetary Board approved this suspension in Resolution No. 805 dated August 14, 2025. The aim is to establish standards and policy expectations for BSIs regarding online gambling payment services, pending further comprehensive policy guidelines.
The new regulations also aim to minimize financial harm, curb addiction, and prevent fraud. Financial service providers will offer tools for users to set personal spending caps, take voluntary breaks from gambling, and self-exclude from gambling transactions. Enhanced identity checks, including biometric verification like facial recognition, will be required.
However, the regulations do not specify any changes in the laws regarding cockfighting, a popular activity in the Philippines that involves betting on rooster fights. The heightened scrutiny of the gambling industry in the Philippines is due to allegations of missing cockfighters buried near Taal Volcano, but these allegations do not appear to be directly linked to online gambling.
The new regulations do not mention any penalties for non-compliance with the measures aimed at curbing addiction, preventing fraud, and minimizing financial harm. The BSP has not indicated any intention to ban or restrict cockfighting.
In summary, the key points of the new BSP regulations are:
- Suspension of all in-app gambling access and links on mobile payment apps and websites of BSP-Supervised Institutions within 48 hours of the order.
- The measure aims to protect consumers from financial harm due to increased online gambling activities.
- Financial service providers will offer tools for users to set personal spending caps, take voluntary breaks from gambling, and self-exclude from gambling transactions.
- Enhanced identity checks, including biometric verification like facial recognition, will be required.
- The regulations do not specify any changes in the laws regarding cockfighting.
- The regulations do not directly mention any specific measures related to cockfighting.
- The new regulations aim to strengthen safeguards against online gambling.
- The allegations of missing cockfighters do not appear to be directly linked to online gambling.
- The new regulations do not mention any penalties for non-compliance with the measures aimed at curbing addiction, preventing fraud, and minimizing financial harm.
- The regulations do not indicate any intention to ban or restrict cockfighting.
- The gambling industry, particularly online gambling, has been under scrutiny in the Philippines due to concerns over financial health impact and addiction.
- In an effort to curb online gambling and promote financial health, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) introduced new regulations on August 7, 2025, that mandate the removal of in-app gambling access from mobile payment apps and websites.
- These regulations, applied to BSP-Supervised Institutions, also include measures to promote responsible gambling such as setting personal spending caps, voluntary breaks, and self-exclusion from gambling transactions.
- The gambling trends now involve the integration of fintech in the gambling-and-casino industry, with enhanced identity checks like biometric verification being required as part of these regulations.
