Proposed Philippine igaming bill faces scrutiny
A proposal by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to make stricter igaming regulations in the Philippines has sparked concern among investors and a warning from the Catholic Church.
Stronger know-your-customer laws, advertising limitations, a minimum PHP10,000 (US$177)1 PHP = 0.0177 USD
2025-07-04Powered by CMG CurrenShift top-up requirement, and a ban on using popular e-wallets like GCash and Maya to pay for online gambling are all part of Gatchalian’s plan to prevent low-income gaming.
The proposal shocked investors in the igaming firm DigiPlus Interactive, which operates BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone. It triggered a rare sell-off that sent shares down 10% Wednesday after an earlier 3.85% dip.
Despite these setbacks, DigiPlus, which announced its debut in Brazil, continues to be one of the most actively traded firms on the Philippine Stock Exchange, boasting a market capitalization surpassing PHP222.82 billion (US$3.94 billion)1 PHP = 0.0177 USD
2025-07-04Powered by CMG CurrenShift.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David also condemned the spread of igaming, warning that it has brought casino-like betting into homes and smartphones, risking children and families.
In a social media post, he criticized the use of celebrity endorsers and the government’s approach to regulation, calling it “absurd” that inland online gambling is entirely legal while offshore operators are targeted.
Simultaneously, the Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR declared unprecedented growth in the industry. The gross gaming revenue for the first quarter reached PHP104.12 billion (US$1.84 billion)1 PHP = 0.0177 USD
2025-07-04Powered by CMG CurrenShift, marking a 27% increase compared to the previous year, with e-games accounting for almost half of this total.
PAGCOR emphasized this as an indication of a significant transition towards digital platforms and highlighted its aim to balance innovation with player protection.
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Charlotte Capewell brings her passion for storytelling and expertise in writing, researching, and the gambling industry to every article she writes. Her specialties include the US gambling industry, regulator legislation, igaming, and more.
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