US EditionE-Wallets Told to Drop Gambling Links - BusinessWorld Online
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas targets the online gambling surge affecting 32 million Filipinos by ordering e-wallets to remove gambling links within 48 hours to protect consumers.
- On August 14, 2025, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas directed e-wallet providers such as GCash and Maya to remove all links and icons related to online gambling from their apps within a two-day timeframe in Manila.
- This directive followed concerns over online gambling's rapid growth, linked to easy access through e-wallets, and lawmakers pressing for faster, stricter measures.
- The order targets about 12,000 illegal gambling websites and aims to sever connections between payment apps and both licensed and unlicensed platforms by August 17.
- Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva expressed opposition to the 48-hour compliance deadline, calling it unjustified, while GCash committed to adhering to the order and continuing to responsibly serve its 94 million users.
- This action reflects government efforts to address social harms including mental health risks and suicides, signaling possible future bans amid mounting public and legislative pressure.
18 Articles
18 Articles
BSP to e-wallets: Unlink from e-gambling sites within 48 hours
MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued an ultimatum, ordering all e-wallets to unlink their platforms to online gambling sites within 48 hours, but senators are not pleased with the two-day period, demanding that it be done now. BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan disclosed the matter before the Senate committee on
E-wallets told to drop gambling links - BusinessWorld Online
By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday ordered all electronic wallets (e-wallets), banks and other supervised institutions to remove in-app gambling assets, including any links that direct users to gaming or gambling websites. “The BSP directive is issued in light of the surge in online gambling transactions and its impact on the financial health of consumers and their families, and considering the broade…
BSP orders e-wallets to block online gambling links within 48 hours
(UPDATE) SEN. Juan Miguel Zubiri said Thursday online gambling has expanded at a speed government regulators “failed to match,” with revenues jumping over 5,500 percent in the past four years.“From 2020 to 2024, the industry grew by 5,564 percent. Unbelievable. And yet it is real,” Zubiri said during a Senate hearing on measures to deal with online gambling.He linked the surge on online betting to “easy access” through e-wallets or mobile apps.T…
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Thursday that it has ordered e-wallets to remove icons and links of online gambling platforms within 48 hours or two days.
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