He said that some 60% of online gambling operators in the country are unlicensed, which they have no power to regulate or penalize. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is a 100 percent government owned and controlled corporation under the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. The law creating PAGCOR was later amended and consolidated under PD 1869 otherwise known as the PAGCOR Charter. Strategically located North of Metro Manila, our QC facility provides a spacious and private place catering to those who are located in the northern metro and in neighboring cities and provinces. We take a human approach to treatment and keep in mind that everyone would have different needs and a very personal recovery journey. Our dedicated counselors are highly experienced and internationally credentialed to treat all kinds of addictions in our DOH-accredited facilities.

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However, the BSP’s order does not require online gambling platforms to remove links to e-wallets within their apps and websites. This means players can still cash in for online gaming, but not directly through e-wallet applications. While research firm The Fourth Wall reported a 70% decline in online gambling participation among Filipinos in licensed sites after e-wallet platforms cut their in-app links, it also found a 40% increase in users turning to illegal or unregulated sites. Tengco argued that the real issue lies not with regulated online gambling or e-wallet platforms but with foreign-based illegal operators preying on Filipino users.

Among the e-wallet applications that have publicly committed and complied with the directive include GCash and Maya.

Our clients are in a secured, private, and exclusive facility fitted with 24/7 security and medical staff. MANILA – E-wallet GCash and digital payment firm Maya assured that they would comply with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) order to unlink from online gambling sites. In other words, the survey suggested that online gambling activity in the Philippines is not declining as it may appear; rather, players are only shifting to more accessible platforms. Our Bulacan facility aims to provide security and privacy to our residents—all in a refreshing environment surrounded by nature—so that they can focus more on their recovery journey and their holistic healing. BH-Laguna hopes to provide healing and recovery to people in Laguna and nearby provinces.

• BH-Batangas provides a highly accessible location for those seeking addiction treatment in Southern Luzon.
• The Department of Trade and Industry is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the advancement, promotion, governance, regulation, management and growth of industry and trade.
• However, the BSP’s order does not require online gambling platforms to remove links to e-wallets within their apps and websites.
• With the right treatment and support group Bridges of Hope provides, you can finally look forward to a better life.
• The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is a 100 percent government owned and controlled corporation under the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines.

The facility is strategically located close to provide a magnificent view of Mt. Makiling while being close to major thoroughfares. It also provides a therapeutic environment for residents as they take in beautiful scenery and fresh air, while taking dips in the hot spring pool in the facility. PAGCOR has reportedly earned P114.83 billion in gross revenues from the online gaming sector alone during the first half of 2025, accounting for over 53% of the P215 billion total gross gaming revenue posted.

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“The update will be implemented in line with the BSP’s guidance. We assure customers that their accounts and transactions remain secure and fully operational,” the Maya statement said. “Once we receive the official directive, we will immediately enforce the necessary changes to ensure compliance and safeguard our users,” it added. Tengco appealed to Congress to strengthen PAGCOR’s regulatory authority with stricter measures targeting illegal platforms instead of imposing an outright ban. Located along a major thoroughfare along Aguirre Avenue, but still strategically nestled in a quiet area to provide privacy and exclusivity, our BF Homes facility is our Main Headquarters. They are in a professionally managed, structured, and therapeutic environment–away from the triggers and dangers that their addictions bring.

Practical Advice for Lawyers and Compliance Officers

The Department of Trade and Industry is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the advancement, promotion, governance, regulation, management and growth of industry and trade. A new addition to our Bridges of Hope family, our Bulacan facility opened in Q with an aim to cater to those needing addiction and behavioral treatment in Bulacan and nearby areas. We believe that recovery success lies in having the right support system that helps sustain sobriety for the long-term. This is why we provide a unique service called Lifetime Aftercare and Halfway Privileges that offers lifetime counseling and support for those who have completed our program.

Tengco explained that illegal operators manage to online casino paypal link themselves with licensed e-wallet platforms by posing as merchants to conceal their gambling activities. It creates an illusion that users are buying goods rather than cashing in funds to place bets. As the first and only DOH-accredited private and professional addiction treatment center in Naga, we’re elevating the addiction treatment of Bicolanos in the region and nearby areas. This is just three days after digital payment platforms complied with the BSP’s memorandum directing financial institutions under its supervision to take down in-app or in-website icons and links to online gambling platforms before August 17. He said that over 8,000 of the 11,800 illegal online gambling operators that the regulator referred to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) have already been taken down.

In a separate statement, Maya indicated it is also ready to comply with the BSP’s directive. “We share the BSP’s commitment to ensuring that digital financial services are used responsibly and in ways that protect the welfare of Filipinos,” GCash statement said. For the PAGCOR chief, a total ban would not be the best course of action, as unlicensed operators will always find ways to skirt around the rules.

Author: Mide