The Philippine Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) confirmed that video-sharing platform TikTok will stop all Real Money Gambling (RMG) advertisements starting Friday, August 22nd.
The decision marks the latest step in the government’s intensified crackdown on online gambling.
According to the Philippine News Agency, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda announced Wednesday that TikTok voluntarily agreed to halt gambling ads in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive and the administration’s campaign for a safe digital environment. The move is seen as a significant development for regulators seeking to curb the proliferation of online gambling across digital platforms.
“It is significant for global platforms like TikTok to support the government’s digital safety efforts,” Aguda said, stressing that stopping RMG ads will help protect the public, particularly young people.
The announcement follows growing regulatory pressure on digital platforms. On August 18th, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called on regulators to act swiftly against online gambling operators allegedly embedding their services in widely used digital applications, including messaging apps such as Viber and Telegram, and e-commerce sites like Lazada.
His appeal came shortly after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued a directive that led major Philippine e-wallet providers GCash and Maya to cut ties with online gambling platforms. Gatchalian criticized what he described as a “malicious and predatory practice” infiltrating some of the country’s most popular digital services.
The government’s anti-gambling campaign reflects mounting concern over the surge in RMG advertisements on social media, which promote online casinos, betting apps, and related services. These ads have raised particular alarm over their accessibility to minors and other vulnerable groups.
President Marcos has underscored the need to protect Filipino users, especially the youth, from digital risks such as online gambling, scams, misinformation, and data exploitation. His administration’s efforts aim to ensure that internet access in the Philippines is not only fast and affordable but also safe and responsible.
Senator Gatchalian has also filed legislation to strengthen online gambling regulations, linking its growth to social issues including crime and mental health challenges. He warned that authorities must act quickly to prevent mobile phones and online applications from turning into gambling hubs.
The Philippine Senate is preparing to summon e-wallet providers, banks, telecommunications firms, and the BSP to explain why gambling-related payments persist despite ongoing enforcement measures—signaling heightened scrutiny of the country’s digital gambling ecosystem.
