E-wallets unlink from online gambling platforms

E-wallet service providers GCash and Maya have unlinked from online gambling platforms, complying with the 48-hour timeline given by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as the country seeks to curb operations of the sector due to the alleged addiction of many Filipinos.

In an advisory released Sunday, Maya said it disabled links to gambling sites through its Games feature starting 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

“We fully support the BSP’s efforts and will continue to work closely with them in promoting the responsible use of digital financial services,” it said.

GCash — operated by GXchange Inc. — earlier made a similar announcement, cutting access to online gambling through its GLife feature.

The unlinking comes as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) last Thursday ordered e-wallets to take down icons and links of online gambling platforms within 48 hours.

The BSP earlier this month said it is finalizing new rules for banks, e-wallets, and other financial service providers regarding gambling, including biometric checks and daily limits on related transfers.

The Central Bank earlier released a draft circular, which previously required payment service providers (PSPs) to create a facility that would allow users to create a separate online gambling transaction action (OGTA), which would then be placed under stricter rules in a bid to protect clients from risks associated with the industry.

BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. also said beneficiaries of government financial aid or ayuda should not be granted access to online gambling platforms.

For his part, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier said he will study calls to ban online gambling. Malacañang in June said it has shut down 7,000 unauthorized online gaming websites. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/RF, GMA Integrated News