Francis Escudero, the Senate leader in the Philippines, has introduced a bill aimed at banning gambling advertisements and celebrity endorsements across all media platforms, both online and offline. Senate Bill No. 2347 seeks to enforce restrictions comparable to current regulations governing tobacco advertising, as Escudero pointed out that gambling promotions are increasingly targeting younger audiences, necessitating tighter government oversight.
The proposed legislation would render the voluntary guidelines established by the Advertising Standards Council as legally binding, creating a unified legal structure for the enforcement of penalties related to gambling advertisements. A year following the law's enactment, those involved in gambling will be required to halt any ongoing marketing endeavors in order to operate legitimately.
Violating this law could lead to severe penalties, including a fine of PHP 200,000 or a one-year prison sentence for first-time offenders, with harsher consequences for repeat violations. Additionally, foreign offenders could face deportation. The Act also aims to improve public awareness by educating citizens on responsible gambling practices.
