Philippine central bank orders banks, e-wallets to remove in-app gambling access

The suspension will remain in place until a policy is finalised.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has ordered financial institutions to remove links providing in-app gambling access from their payment apps and websites.

The BSP-supervised institutions have 48 hours or until the end of Saturday, 16 August 2025, to comply. These include e-wallets, banks, and other financial institutions.

Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan first announced the directive during a senate committee hearing earlier the same day.

“Suspended in-app gambling access includes any product/service/feature that redirects an account holder to a gaming/gambling site,” the BSP memo said.

The Philippine central bank said that it issued the directive “in light of the surge in online gambling transactions and its impact on the financial health of consumers and their families, and considering the broader social cost.”

The suspension will remain in place until the BSP finalizes the policy on online gambling payment services.