Philippines: Bill introduced in senate seeks to ban pro-gambling online content

A bill seeking a ban in the Philippines on promoting gambling activities online has been filed in the Senate. 

Senator Robin Padilla, who filed Senate Bill 2602, said: "Considering the evolving landscape of social media platforms, this representation has been apprised of the availability of online user-generated content relating to gambling that demonstrates, promotes, and provides instructions on betting or staking to the general public."

"In this regard, this representation proposes the prohibition of online publication of materials that instruct or demonstrate gambling, commentaries, and advertisements that promote awareness of gambling activities," added Padilla, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Public Information and mass media. 

The lawmaker stated that the proposed legislation is intended to reduce, if not completely eliminate, the exposure and impact of gambling on the general public, particularly youth, which he said causes long-term harm to individuals, families, and communities.

Padilla also said that gambling and its links to addiction, criminal activities, and social issues "destroy the moral fiber of the nation," as reported by GMA Integrated News.

Section 4 of SB 2602 requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue a disabling order to restrict or block access to gambling-related content, with notice to the Department of Information and Communications and the National Telecommunications Commission to ensure compliance.

It also requires service providers to comply with the disabling order within 48 hours of the DOJ issuing an order. Anybody found publishing gambling-related content faces six months to a year in prison or a fine of P300,000 ($5,392) to P500,000 ($8,987).

If the offender has linked the online content to an online gambling site or has received any form of remuneration or commissions for publishing gambling-related online content, a maximum penalty of three years of jail time and a fine of P500,000 will be imposed, as reported by the cited source.

If the offender is a juridical person, a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment and a fine of P500,000 will be imposed on the president, director, manager or managing partners, and or responsible officers.