Local policy in Pasig, Philippines blocks advertising for licensed gaming operators

Pasig City in Metro Manila, Philippines has implemented a new ordinance prohibiting gambling advertising and promotional activities, adding another layer to the local government’s restrictions on gambling exposure.

Mayor Vico Sotto announced on December 8 that Ordinance No. 26 s-2025 bars billboards, signages, sponsorships, and all promotional materials from gambling operators within the city.

Sotto said the city acknowledges that national and online gambling operations fall outside local authority, but he argued that limiting advertising within Pasig is still a significant step. He noted that he has seen individuals experience addiction and personal difficulties linked to active-play gambling and stated that while accessing gaming platforms is a personal choice, constant reminders and promotional cues create a different situation that can influence behavior.

Sotto also said the city aims to reduce exposure by regulating what it can at the community level, adding that repeated promotional messaging may affect residents who are more susceptible to gambling-related risks.

The ordinance aligns with advertising restrictions earlier ordered by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which instructed licensed online gambling operators and service providers to remove all out-of-home advertising by August 15 following public criticism over the visibility of gambling ads. PAGCOR is drafting updated rules on the placement and timing of gambling advertisements with the Ad Standards Council.

Pasig has maintained strict local gambling policies. In 2022, the city passed Ordinance No. 55 s-2022, which prohibited the operations, licensing, and approval of online games of chance such as online casinos, e-games, e-bingo, online sabong, online poker, computer gaming stations, and related technical support providers, including Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Sotto commented that he welcomed the nationwide prohibition on POGOs and noted that some individuals had already been convicted for crimes linked to related operations.

Pasig’s latest ordinance comes as national discussions on online gambling continue. Proposals for a nationwide ban have not advanced, but regulators are reviewing advertising guidelines.

The local advertising restrictions may require operators to reassess marketing plans targeting Metro Manila, where policies may differ between cities. PAGCOR-licensed operators continue to offer services online and in jurisdictions where advertising rules are less strict, while Pasig remains focused on enforcement within its boundaries.