15 August 2025
In brief
The Philippine Central Bank (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas or BSP) issued Memorandum No. M-2025-029 on 14 August 2025, instructing all BSP-supervised institutions (BSIs) to remove links providing in-app gambling access in BSIs' mobile payment apps and websites within 48 hours. In-app access includes any product or service that redirects an account holder to a gaming/gambling site.
The memorandum was issued in view of the surge in online gaming transactions and heightened public concern about the impact of online gambling on the financial health of consumers. The suspension of in-app gambling access was approved by the Monetary Board of the BSP in anticipation of the issuance and implementation of new policies that provide standards and expectations for BSIs in the provision of online gambling payment services.
The BSP also required BSIs to submit a notarized certification stating that they have fully complied with the removal of links providing in-app gambling access in mobile payment apps and websites and that they have undertaken a full review of their systems to ensure that no direct or indirect access to gambling-related content remains available. The BSP flagged that it would impose applicable sanctions (monetary or non-monetary) pursuant to all existing laws, rules and regulations if the notarized certification was not submitted by 11:59 pm on 16 August 2025.
Recommended actions
BSIs, or entities that provide financial products and services under the jurisdiction of the BSP, should remove in-app gambling access in their mobile payment apps and websites within the 48-hour window provided by BSP. Thereafter, BSIs should submit the required notarized certification following the template of the BSP by 16 August 2025.
BSIs are also advised to closely monitor future issuances from the BSP to regulate the provision of online gambling payment services.