Philippines city bans igaming on government networks

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The Cebu City Council in the Philippines has approved a resolution to block igaming sites and VPN applications on government-provided internet networks.

The measure, authored by Councilor Nyza “Nice” Archival, was passed during Tuesday’s session of the 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod.

It instructs the city’s Management Information and Computer Services office to implement technical restrictions on known gambling domains and VPN tools. The ban will apply to internal government systems and public Wi-Fi networks managed by the city.

“There is a growing concern regarding the misuse of government-provided internet connections to access online gambling sites,” the resolution noted, citing issues like addiction, moral decline, and reduced productivity.

Additionally, it enforces City Ordinance No. 2142 by banning government workers from gambling in person or online while they are on duty.

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Archival said VPNs are often used to bypass restrictions, enabling access to blocked gambling platforms. Blocking VPNs, extensions, and apps is seen as critical for enforcement. Violators will face administrative sanctions under civil service rules.

The resolution backs the broader push for a national igaming ban, including the Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025 filed by Senator Migz Zubiri.

MICS will maintain an updated blacklist of gambling-related websites and ensure ongoing monitoring and compliance.

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