GCash to suspend in-app gambling access on ‘GLife’ by Aug. 16
MANILA, Philippines — E-wallet platform GCash will comply with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ directive to remove online gambling links and icons by suspending gaming access in its “GLife” feature after 8 p.m. on August 16.
The superapp advised users to transfer any funds in their gaming accounts back to their GCash wallets via GLife before access to gaming is suspended.
"After this, users who have remaining funds can only access this directly through the gaming merchant's website," GCash said in a statement on Thursday night, August 14.
GCash users will be notified of the advisory when opening the app. Within GLife, which also includes services like shopping, food, entertainment, wellness and travel, an alert will appear if the gaming feature is selected.
Maya also said it will comply with the BSP's directive.
What went before
The decision to delink online gambling platforms from digital payment apps and other BSP-supervised institutions comes as the Senate Committee on Games and Amusements investigates the impact of online gambling, particularly the ease of access enabled by e-wallet links.
Several House members and senators have filed bills proposing stricter regulations or a complete ban on online gambling. Rather than allowing online gambling, which has reportedly grown in revenue thanks to easier access, lawmakers propose keeping gambling confined to on-site venues.
However, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has since argued that a total ban would be counterproductive, as most problems stem from illegal operators rather than licensed platforms.
During the Senate hearing on Thursday, PAGCOR said around 60% of the complaints it has received on online gambling are connected to illegal gambling operators, while 40% are from legitimate ones.
PAGCOR also warns that such a ban could lead to job losses in sectors like security, transportation, and food services, as well as a decline in government revenue from licensing fees and taxes paid by legitimate gambling operators.
A portion of PAGCOR's revenue funds the country's universal health care program. Nearly two-fifths of the P410 billion gross gaming revenue in 2024 came from online gambling.
Lawmakers, however, stress that “no amount of tax revenue can justify” the human and social costs of online gambling, which has also exposed minors to risks and possible addiction through illegal apps.
The BSP initially announced during a Senate hearing that e-wallet platforms had 48 hours to remove icons and links providing in-app gambling access, but the official directive, Memorandum M-2025-029, was only issued Thursday night.
Completely cutting off e-wallet funds on online gambling platforms is a separate issue that requires PAGCOR’s involvement and is still under study as the Senate probe continues. The BSP’s order specifically targets in-app access within e-wallets and other institutions under its supervision.
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