Pasig City, Philippines, has officially prohibited all gambling-related advertising and promotional materials under a new measure passed by its local council. The regulation, titled Ordinance No. 26 s-2025, was authored by Councilor Paul Senogat and announced by Mayor Vico Sotto on December 8. It aims to protect residents from excessive exposure to gambling content and reduce addiction risks.

Scope of the Advertising Ban

The ordinance—formally named “An Ordinance Regulating Gambling Marketing Within Pasig City”—covers every form of out-of-home and public-space gambling advertising. This includes billboards, building wraps, LED screens, posters, flyers, and brochures, as well as ads placed on public utility vehicles such as tricycles and pedicabs under local regulation. Terminals and routes that pass through Pasig are also subject to the same restrictions.

Under the new rules, gambling promotions are allowed only within the premises of licensed casinos and betting outlets. The ordinance further bars gambling-related sponsorships for educational, sports, cultural, religious, and government-linked events. However, licensed gambling operators may still participate in community programs as part of corporate social responsibility initiatives, provided that any items or donations distributed do not display company branding or references to gambling.

Mayor Sotto described the legislation as a major milestone for the city, which has long maintained a strong stance against gambling activities. In his statement, he said, “Banning [gambling] advertisement in our city is … a big step.” He explained that constant exposure to gambling marketing can make it harder for individuals struggling with addiction to resist the urge to return to gambling establishments.

“I’ve seen so many people whose lives are ruined and ruined because of active-play gambling games,” Sotto said, as Inquirer.net reports. “If a person is willing to seek it, it’s his decision; but it’s a different story when you’re reminded/encouraged to go back there.”

Sotto added that gambling psychology plays a major role in addictive behavior, emphasizing that the city’s measure is not about restricting personal choice but about reducing harmful influence.

Aligning With National Efforts

The Pasig ordinance reflects the city’s continuing leadership in anti-gambling policies. It follows an earlier 2022 measure—Ordinance No. 55 s-2022—that outlawed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and other forms of electronic gambling within its jurisdiction. Sotto previously noted that the city’s decision to stand firm against gambling came despite external pressures. “While we were passing the Ordinance (no. 55 s-2022), we received countless numbers of messages asking us to reconsider; at least two councilors told me they were offered money. But we stood firm,” he said.

The timing of Pasig’s latest measure also coincides with national regulatory developments. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has recently intensified its oversight of gambling promotions. In mid-2025, it ordered all licensed operators to take down outdoor advertisements, citing the need to protect vulnerable groups. PAGCOR is now working with the Ad Standards Council to finalize new national guidelines on gambling ad placement and timing.

Earlier this year, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also filed a bill seeking stricter advertising rules for domestic online gaming platforms, or eGames, following public criticism over the visibility of gambling ads on payment apps such as Maya and GCash.

Pasig City remains one of the few jurisdictions in the Philippines to actively enforce both anti-gambling operations and marketing bans. While the city cannot regulate online or national-level gambling activities, local officials say the ordinance is an important step toward minimizing triggers that contribute to gambling-related harm.

Sotto concluded his remarks by expressing confidence in the ordinance’s legal standing. “Gambling psychology is a highly researched subject, I trust that no one will give us a hard time for passing this ordinance,” he said.