It ends Saturday night: GCash removes links to e-gambling
Electronic wallet GCash will suspend access to online gambling via its “GLife” platform at 8 p.m. on Aug. 16.
In an advisory posted on its app since Aug. 14, the company said it will comply with Memorandum No. M-2025-029, which the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued that day.
The directive addressed to “all BSP-Supervised Institutions (BSIs)” noted “the surge in online gambling transactions and the heightened public concern on its financial health impact to consumers.”
It said the Monetary Board approved the suspension of in-app gambling access “pending the issuance…of [a] corresponding policy that provides standards and expectations for BSIs in the provision of online gambling payment services.”
BSIs were given up to “48 hours” from the issuance of the memo to remove gambling access from their apps and websites.
In its advisory, GCash said “Users may withdraw their funds from their gaming account back to their GCash wallet through GLife only until Saturday, August 16, 8 p.m.”
“After this, users who have remaining funds can only access this directly through the gaming merchant’s website.”
Contempt threat
BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan appeared before the Senate committee on games and amusement also on Thursday, informing the panel about the memorandum.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo, committee chair, warned Tangonan that he could be cited for contempt if e-wallet links to online gambling apps are not removed by Sunday, Aug. 17.
“I’m taking your word on this, we’ll give you actually more than 48 hours. So Sunday morning, we will not see online gambling games anymore and no more links of any sort will be accessible on e-wallets,” a press release from Tulfo’s office quoted the senator as saying.
Call for vigilance
House lawmakers also welcomed the BSP directive.
“Filipinos deserve payment systems that promote financial stability, not ones that enable easy access to high-risk activities,“ said Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.
La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V said “The easy linkage of e-wallets to gambling sites [is a] convenience… that has inadvertently fueled a rise in impulsive betting behaviors across the nation.“
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who is against online gambling and has filed a bill seeking a total ban, called for vigilance as “online gambling and e-sabong operators…continue to prey on our people for more profit.” —WITH A REPORT FROM KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING
