What the Anti-Online Gambling Bill Actually Proposes
House Bill 11223, filed by Rep. Jose 'Joey' Salceda in August 2026, is the most aggressive anti-online gambling measure the Philippines has seen. It seeks to prohibit all online gambling activities, including e-sabong, e-games, and online casino operations. But there’s a carve-out: sports betting operated by PAGCOR-licensed entities would remain legal, provided they meet strict responsible gambling standards. The bill also proposes a 5% tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR) from sports betting, up from the current 2% franchise tax. If passed, it would take effect on January 1, 2027.
The bill’s primary sponsor argues that online gambling has led to a rise in problem gambling, especially among young Filipinos. Data from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) shows that online gambling revenue hit ₱98 billion in 2025, a 32% jump from 2024. The bill aims to curb that growth by banning non-sports online gambling and imposing stricter advertising rules. For sports bettors, the key takeaway is that licensed sportsbooks would survive, but with tighter regulations.
The New Licensing Regime: What Changes for Sportsbooks
Under the proposed bill, PAGCOR would issue a new class of licence: the Online Sports Betting Operator (OSBO) licence. Only 10 OSBO licences would be available, each costing ₱50 million annually. Existing sportsbook operators like MegaSportsWorld and Sportsbet Philippines would need to reapply. The application process includes a ₱10 million non-refundable fee and a rigorous suitability check. Operators must also maintain a minimum paid-up capital of ₱200 million and post a ₱100 million performance bond.
For bettors, this means fewer choices but potentially safer platforms. The bill mandates that OSBO licensees integrate with PAGCOR’s central monitoring system, which tracks bets in real time. It also requires operators to offer self-exclusion tools and set default deposit limits. For example, new accounts would have a default monthly deposit cap of ₱20,000, which can be increased only after a 24-hour cooling-off period.
Withdrawal processing times would also be standardized. The bill requires OSBOs to process withdrawals within 24 hours for e-wallets like GCash and Maya, and within 48 hours for bank transfers. Minimum deposits would be capped at ₱100 to encourage micro-betting. These changes aim to protect consumers while keeping the sports betting industry viable.
How E-Sabong and E-Games Would Disappear
E-sabong, which generated ₱45 billion in 2025, would be completely banned under the bill. This follows the 2022 suspension of e-sabong by then-President Duterte. The bill formalizes that ban and extends it to all online cockfighting derivatives, including live-streamed sabong and virtual cockfighting games. Operators like Belvedere Vista and Lucky 8 Star would have their licences revoked immediately upon the bill’s effectivity.
E-games, which include online slot machines, baccarat, and other casino games offered by PAGCOR’s offshore licensees, would also be prohibited. This would affect major players like Okada Online and Solaire Online, which collectively accounted for ₱30 billion in GGR in 2025. The bill gives them a 6-month wind-down period to settle all bets and return player funds. Players with balances in these platforms would need to withdraw before June 30, 2027.
However, land-based casinos would remain unaffected. PAGCOR chairman Alejandro Tengco has stated that the bill is not meant to kill the gaming industry but to refocus it on regulated, face-to-face gambling. The ban on e-games would push some players back to physical casinos, but many would likely migrate to sports betting or international sites.
What This Means for Filipino Bettors: A Practical Example
Consider Juan, a 28-year-old bettor from Cebu who currently has accounts with three online casinos and two sportsbooks. He deposits ₱5,000 monthly and bets on basketball and e-sabong. Under the new bill, Juan’s e-sabong account would be closed, and he’d need to withdraw his remaining balance. His online casino accounts would also be shuttered by mid-2027. But his sportsbook accounts would remain, provided the operators secure OSBO licences.
Juan would now face stricter deposit limits. If he wants to deposit more than ₱20,000 per month, he’d need to request a limit increase and wait 24 hours. Withdrawals to GCash would be faster—within 24 hours—but he’d also see a 5% tax on his winnings, deducted at source. The bill also requires sportsbooks to display odds in a standardized format and to provide a clear breakdown of potential payouts, including the tax.
For Juan, the biggest change is the disappearance of e-sabong and online casino games. He might shift more of his budget to sports betting, but he’d also be tempted to use offshore sites that don’t comply with Philippine law. The bill includes provisions to block such sites, but enforcement would be challenging.
The Road Ahead: Will the Bill Pass?
The bill is currently in the House Committee on Games and Amusements, chaired by Rep. Gus Tambunting. It has support from anti-gambling advocates and some religious groups, but faces opposition from PAGCOR and gaming industry stakeholders. PAGCOR stands to lose ₱60 billion in annual revenue if the bill passes, which could impact government programs. The agency has proposed an alternative: stricter regulation instead of a ban.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not taken a public stance, but his administration has emphasized responsible gambling. If the bill passes, it would be implemented by PAGCOR and the Department of Justice. Operators would have until December 31, 2026, to comply. Bettors should prepare for a drastically different landscape in 2027: fewer options, but potentially safer and more transparent sports betting.
For now, Juan and other bettors should monitor their accounts and withdraw funds from platforms that may be banned. Staying informed is the best way to navigate the changes.
