Aligning with the current push by numerous sectors, including government branches, to curb the growing issue.
Last Thursday, August 14, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued a directive to all the BSP-Supervised Institutions (BSIs) to remove links that provide in-app gambling access to users.
This memo, Memorandum No. M-2025-029, covers payment apps and websites—such as e-wallets, banks (through their payment apps and websites), and other BSIs—with a 48-hour deadline set.
The BSP explained, “suspended in-app gambling access includes any product/service/feature that redirects an account holder to a gaming/gambling site.”
Additionally, “The BSP directive is issued in light of the surge in online gambling transactions and its impact on the financial health of consumers and their families, and considering the broader social cost.“
The financial authority also said that the suspension will remain in place until it has finalized the policy on online gambling payment services.
In its separate statement, leading e-wallet platform GCash said that it will fully comply with the recently issued BSP order.
Following this, GCash has implemented numerous measures, such as restricting access to gaming via the GLife tab, with users given time to withdraw funds from their gaming account back to GCash only until yesterday, Saturday, August 16.
“After this, users who have remaining funds can only access this directly through the gaming merchant’s website,” the payment app noted.
“GCash supports adopting stronger safeguards on online gaming and will continue to work with regulators and industry partners to protect the financial health of Filipinos,” it underscored.
Other services, including Maya, have already set similar measures in compliance with the BSP directive.
In a recent disclosure made by gaming operator and regulator Philippine Amusements and Gaminh Corporation (PAGCOR), revenue generated by electronic games went up to PHP114.83 billion in the first six months of 2025—a 53% increase than the year before—which also made it the highest generator.
However, recognizant of its role as the operator, PAGCOR has since implemented its own set of measures to ensure responsible gaming.
Some of those are the recent memorandum of understanding with the Ad Standards Council to monitor gambling advertisements, removal of outdoor adverts, and the restriction of these materials on television during a certain period in primetime.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also since ordered a comprehensive review into the multi-billion peso industry.