In the Philippine city of Pasig, located on the eastern border of Metro Manila, a new ordinance has been approved that entirely bans the advertising and promotion of gambling.
According to Ordinance No. 26, the ban on “public space and out-of-home” advertising covers all types of gambling ads in public areas. This includes billboards, advertisements on public transport regulated by local authorities (such as tricycles and pedicabs), as well as public transport terminals located within the city or serving routes passing through Pasig.
The restrictions also apply to building wraps, posters, LED screens, leaflets, brochures, flyers, and other forms of outdoor, street-level, or printed advertising displayed, distributed, or circulated within Pasig’s jurisdiction.
As a result, gambling advertisements are only allowed inside licensed casinos and betting outlets.
The ordinance also prohibits sponsorship of any educational, sports, concert, cultural, religious, or artistic events associated with government institutions. Licensed gambling operators may participate in community initiatives as part of their corporate social responsibility programs — but only if the materials or donations provided do not contain the company’s name and do not promote gambling activities.
In a social media post, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto stated:“Banning gambling advertisement in our city is … a big step. Why? “I’ve seen so many people whose lives are ruined and ruined because of active-play gambling games.
“If a person is willing to seek it, it’s his decision; but it’s a different story when you’re reminded/encouraged to go back there.”
This move by Pasig City followed an earlier order from the Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR, issued at the start of the year, requiring online operators nationwide to remove outdoor billboards and other gambling-related advertisements.
Earlier, in early July, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian filed a bill aimed at significantly tightening rules regarding the promotion of and access to local online gaming platforms, known as eGames.
Since then, additional regulations have been introduced in the eGames industry, the most notable being the removal of links to gaming services from major payment platforms Maya and GCash.
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