Warning that the rapid expansion of digital gambling has effectively placed a casino within reach of every smartphone user, Cebu Rep. Karen Hope Garcia has filed a measure seeking to prohibit the advertising and promotion of online gambling across traditional and digital platforms.
House Bill 10982, or the proposed Online Gambling Advertising Prohibition Act of 2026, seeks to ban advertisements, promotions, endorsements, and sponsorships involving online gambling in the Philippines.
‘Every smartphone is now a potential 24-hour casino,’ Garcia said, arguing that the accessibility of online gambling has been amplified by aggressive marketing strategies that reach consumers through multiple channels.
Under the proposed measure, the prohibition would cover television, radio, print publications and billboards, as well as social-media platforms, websites and mobile applications.
Search-engine advertisements, targeted digital campaigns, influencer and affiliate marketing, email and text-message promotions would likewise be covered.