The Philippine Senate is considering a complete shutdown of online gambling advertisements on television and radio after a high-profile hearing on February 11, 2026. The discussion, led by the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, examined how broadcast ads expose gambling to wider audiences, including minors and families at home.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) confirmed it is studying the feasibility of a total broadcast ban as lawmakers push for stronger ad restrictions around online gambling operations.

Tulfo Challenges Ad Gaps Outside Prime Time

“Dead Hours” Also Reach Families

Committee chair Senator Erwin Tulfo pressed PAGCOR officials about the current prime-time restriction, which bans online gambling ads between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. but leaves early morning and afternoon broadcasting unrestricted.

Tulfo questioned why such ads should continue airing outside these hours, pointing out that students, families, and stay-at-home viewers still make up a significant part of daytime audiences. He urged PAGCOR to consider whether time-based controls are outdated, given the nature of modern media exposure.

PAGCOR Leans Toward a Zero-Ad Policy

Broadcasters Want Revenue, Regulators Want Limits

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco told senators that broadcast networks have resisted a full ad ban because of potential revenue losses from online gambling clients. Nonetheless, he made the agency’s stance clear:

“If a total ban is possible, that is what the regulator would rather enforce.”

Tengco added that PAGCOR and the Advertising Standards Council (ASC) are now jointly reviewing how such a policy might be implemented.

Building on Stricter Rules Introduced in 2025

Last year, PAGCOR and the ASC signed an agreement to regulate online gambling advertising more tightly. The measure introduced content-based restrictions and clearer labeling on gambling promos.

The latest Senate hearing signals a possible escalation—from managing ad schedules to possibly removing online gambling content from broadcasting platforms entirely.

Summary

The Philippine Senate’s renewed scrutiny of gambling advertising suggests a shift toward stricter oversight. PAGCOR’s openness to a complete ad ban on TV and radio could mark a major policy change, reflecting growing concern about the industry’s visibility and its reach into everyday households.