Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday raised alarm over the continued use of e-wallets to fund online gambling, warning that cash flow through these platforms can reach staggering amounts despite earlier efforts to cut off links to gambling sites.
During the Senate Committee on Games and Amusements hearing on tighter rules—or even a possible ban—on online gambling, Hontiveros revealed that transactions can run as high as half a million pesos.
“Sa online banking nga eh, lumampas ka lang, sumobra ka lang ng P50,000, hindi ka na makakapag-transfer. Pero dito po sa kanila, kalahating milyon pwedeng maglabas-masok sa pagsusugal,” she stressed.
Last month, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) directed e-wallet providers to remove in-app icons and links to gambling platforms. Both GCash and Maya said they had complied. But when pressed by Hontiveros, BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan clarified that while links were removed, licensed gambling operators are still treated as legitimate merchants. As such, payment services remain available.
Asked if they would consider blocking gambling-related cash-ins and cash-outs, GCash legal counsel Gilbert Escoto responded, “‘Pag mayroon pong regulasyon na ganyan, kami ay may susunod po sa kautusan ng ating gobyerno.” Maya regulatory head Kristoffer Rada echoed the same assurance: “We will comply with the directives… so if they issue something related to this, we will follow.”
Meanwhile, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. vice president Jessa Fernandez explained that e-wallets remain allowed since they are regulated by the BSP and have safeguards in place. However, she said the agency and the central bank are exploring other ways gamblers might deposit and withdraw funds outside these platforms.
