The Philippines district of Pasig City, located on the eastern border of Metro Manila, has passed an ordinance banning all gambling advertisements and promotions.
According to Ordinance No.26, the ban on “public space and out-of-home” gambling covers all forms of gambling advertising in public spaces, including but not limited to billboards, transit advertisements for public utility vehicles regulated by the local government such as tricycles and pedicabs, as well as PUV (public utility vehicle) terminals located within Pasig City or servicing routes that pass through.
It also extends to building wraps, posters, LED screens, leaflets, brochures, flyers and other out-of-home or street-level media or printed advertising media displayed, distributed or circulated within the jurisdiction of Pasig City.
As such, advertising for gambling services may only be permitted within the physical premises of licensed casinos and betting outlets.
The ordinance also notes that sponsorship of any educational, sports, concert, cultural, religious or art event linked to the government is prohibited, although licensed gambling operators may sponsor community activities as part of their corporate social responsibility commitments – provided that any merchandise or donations distributed during the event does not contain the name of the company or indicate any gambling activities.
In a social media post, Pasig City mayor Vico Sotto said, “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.”
The move by Pasig City comes after Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR earlier this year issued an order for online gaming operators nationwide to remove outdoor billboards and other gambling-related out-of-home (OOH) advertisements.
That followed the filing of a bill by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian in early July calling for significantly tighter restrictions around the promotion of and access to domestic online gaming, or eGames, platforms.
Since then, further restrictions have been implemented around the eGames industry, most notable being the removal of links from leading payment platforms Maya and GCash.
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