The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has mandated all electronic wallet (e-wallet) providers to immediately cut all transactional ties with online gambling platforms. Th new directive requires providers to comply within 48 hours.
The order was announced by BSP Deputy Governor Memento Tangonan during a Senate hearing on Thursday, August 14, 2025. The hearing was chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo. Tangonan stated the central bank’s action targets unregulated digital transactions flowing through these popular payment apps to gambling sites.
Deputy Governor Tangonan emphasized that the BSP’s primary goals are consumer protection and safeguarding the integrity of the nation’s financial system. The central bank aims to prevent these systems from being exploited by unlicensed and unregulated online gambling operations, which often lack proper oversight and consumer safeguards.
Online gambling has seen massive growth in the Philippines in recent years, partly fueled by the convenience of e-wallets. These digital payment platforms made depositing funds and placing bets significantly easier for Filipinos.
You can watch the livestream of the Senate hearing below.