The Philippine Central Bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), has directed all electronic wallet operators to strip their platforms of direct links to online gambling sites within 48 hours — a timeline that has sparked frustration from several senators who insist the action should be immediate.

BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan confirmed the order during a Senate Committee on Games and Amusement hearing on Thursday, noting that the directive requires e-wallet companies to remove in-app icons and hyperlinks leading to gambling platforms.

According to Tangonan, the grace period aims to give operators enough time to implement the technical changes and notify users, as well as allow gamblers to withdraw remaining balances from their gaming accounts. The removal deadline is set for the close of business on Saturday, August 16.

Senators Demand Immediate Action

Lawmakers across party lines voiced dissatisfaction with the two-day window, with some warning that the delay risks enabling more gambling-related harm.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Committee on Banks, questioned why the BSP acted only during the day of the hearing despite circulating a proposal to e-wallet operators as early as July. “You circulated a proposal to the e-wallet companies and waited for their reply, then only today did you issue the order? Because there is a hearing today?” he said, according to Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Cayetano said he personally confirmed that links remained on one app during the hearing and pressed the BSP to move faster. “Why do we need 48 hours? Isn’t that instant? When I say remove that today, don’t the technical staff of e-wallets know that?” he asked, adding that the Department of Information and Communications Technology had already confirmed the removal could be done immediately.

Committee chair Senator Erwin Tulfo warned Tangonan that failure to meet the deadline could result in contempt charges. “So on Sunday morning, we will not see online gambling games anymore and no more links of any sort will be accessible on e-wallets,” Tulfo said.

Calls for a Broader Crackdown

The hearing revealed stark figures: 11,985 illegal online gambling sites are active in the Philippines, including 6,363 online casinos, 235 offshore operators, and 4,815 online sabong platforms.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva criticized the BSP’s reasoning for the delay, noting the urgency given multiple reports of suicides linked to online betting losses. “The answer as to why 48 hours is needed is not acceptable. We want to protect the public — people are already dying. Numbers don’t lie,” he said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros argued for coordinated action between the BSP and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), warning that “portable” gambling through e-wallets has made addiction dangerously accessible. She pushed for her Kontra E-Sugal Bill, which would permanently ban direct integration between e-wallets and gambling sites.

Other senators, including Juan Miguel Zubiri, JV Ejercito, Pia Cayetano, Sherwin Gatchalian, and Rodante Marcoleta, echoed concerns that the social costs far outweigh any economic benefit. Zubiri cited a 5,564 percent increase in online gambling revenues from ₱8 billion in 2022 to ₱135.71 billion in 2024, with over ₱106 billion recorded in just the first half of 2025 — a boom he attributed to e-wallet integration.

Industry Pushback and Regulatory Proposals

While lawmakers favor stricter restrictions, industry representatives have urged caution against full disconnection. The PlaySafe Alliance PH, representing 20 licensed online gaming operators, argued that cutting off mobile wallet payments entirely could drive activity to unregulated cash couriers and alternative channels, making enforcement harder.

Spokesman Mike Defensor emphasized that regulated e-wallets provide valuable Know Your Client data and transaction records that help trace illegal operations. The group supports the BSP’s proposed regulations, including daily transaction caps, stricter identity verification, and mandatory monitoring for gambling-related activity — provided there are clear rules on account freezes and privacy safeguards.

For now, the BSP’s 48-hour countdown is underway. By Sunday morning, senators expect that not a single gambling link will remain on any e-wallet platform. Whether this marks the start of a broader clampdown or just a temporary measure remains to be seen.