TikTok halts real money gambling ads starting today

MANILA, Philippines — With issues raised over online gambling operations, short-form video platform TikTok has agreed to pause real money gambling advertisements in the Philippines starting today.

TikTok confirmed its move following an announcement of the development from Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda on Wednesday.

Aguda welcomed TikTok’s decision, describing it as a “big step” toward ensuring a safer digital space for Filipinos.

“It shows that even major global platforms are willing to join us in our cause,” he said in Filipino. “Through Digital Bayanihan, we are proving that when the government, private sector, and the people work together, we can ensure that the internet is not only fast and affordable, but also safe and responsible.”

For its part, TikTok reiterated its commitment to work with Philippine authorities to ensure that its platform provides a safe and positive environment for its users.

It noted that its advertising policies for gambling and related activities were designed to safeguard users, such as by requiring proper licenses and strict age restrictions.

Based on TikTok’s policy in the Philippines, online and offline gambling advertisements may be allowed only when certain requirements are met.

These include working with a TikTok sales representative to determine eligibility and a restriction to viewers 25 years of age and older.

Non-casino games are not allowed, except for “fantasy sports” that meet the same requirements.

TikTok has a separate policy for “social casino games” or those that do not involve anything with real-world value or financial rewards. These types of ads must be restricted to users 18 years old and above and must have a clear presentation “that players cannot win anything with real-world value.”

The platform will pause its policy covering real money gambling advertisements pending final regulatory guidelines from relevant Philippine authorities.

Other social media platforms and messaging applications have yet to announce if they would also implement changes in their policies on online gambling advertisements.

For Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, a total ban on online gambling is the “only effective way to address its detrimental effects on many Filipino individuals and families.”

“It is a good development that the links to online gambling have been removed from e-wallets, but this is not enough. They will always find ways to entice Filipinos through so many platforms,” she said at Wednesday’s hearing on the budget of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR). The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas earlier ordered a shutdown of digital platforms in payouts.

“As an advocate of total ban on online gambling, I don’t accept the argument of chairman Tengco that in total ban, there will only be a few funds left for social services of the government, like that of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp,” De Lima said, referring to PAGCOR chairman Alejandro Tengco.

“This is another strong argument why it is better to implement a total ban on online gambling, instead of just imposing stricter regulation. Whether illegal or legal, online gambling promotes addiction,” De Lima pointed out.

The PAGCOR chief conceded that more Filipinos don’t know the difference between legal and illegal gambling.

“The challenge for PAGCOR is to think of other alternatives for generating revenue aside from online gambling, iyung hindi nakakasira ng buhay, pamilya, kinabukasan (something that doesn’t destroy life, family, future), mental health and morality of Filipinos,” De Lima said. –  Delon Porcalla