BSP Orders E-Wallets to Cut Online Gambling Links in 48 Hours – Unlicensed Casinos Face Uncertain Future | Best Pagcor Online Casino Sites Philippines

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has given e-wallet platforms just 48 hours to remove links to online gambling sites, marking one of the strongest crackdowns on the industry to date.

Announced during a Senate hearing on August 14, 2025, the order aims to protect consumers and prevent the misuse of digital payment systems.

Combined with ongoing legislative discussions and PAGCOR’s tightening oversight, the move could signal the eventual disappearance of unlicensed online casinos from the Philippine market.

BSP Orders E-Wallets to Unlink from Online Gambling Within 48 Hours

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued a directive requiring all e-wallet platforms to remove links to online gambling sites within 48 hours. This order was announced during a Senate Games and Amusement Committee hearing on August 14, 2025, in response to growing concerns over the social and financial risks of online gambling.

BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan emphasized that the move is part of the central bank’s effort to protect consumers and prevent the misuse of financial systems. While some senators questioned why a two-day grace period was needed, BSP explained that the time frame allows platforms to adjust systems and inform users so they can withdraw any remaining funds.

The Senate is also deliberating several bills that could lead to stricter regulations—or even a complete ban—on online gambling. Meanwhile, PAGCOR is reportedly considering limiting gambling to physical betting stations, similar to horse racing.

Why This Could Mark the End for Unlicensed Online Casinos in the Philippines

This move signals a decisive step toward tightening control over the online gambling industry. By cutting off payment links through major e-wallet services like GCash, Maya, and others, the BSP is effectively making it harder for players to access unlicensed platforms.

In the long term, if e-wallets and banks maintain strict compliance with these measures—and if the Senate proceeds with heavier regulations—unlicensed online casinos will lose their primary payment channels. This would drastically reduce their ability to operate within the Philippines.

Our view is that the government’s coordinated effort between BSP, PAGCOR, and the FinTech sector is laying the groundwork for a regulated market where only PAGCOR-licensed casinos can survive. For players, this means a shift toward fewer but safer and more transparent platforms, with unregulated sites likely disappearing from the local scene entirely.