Pasig bans gambling ads, promotions

MANILA, Philippines — Gambling advertisements and promotions are now banned in Pasig, Mayor Vico Sotto announced yesterday.

Sotto said the city government passed Ordinance 26, prohibiting all forms of advertisements promoting gambling such as billboards, LED screens, posters, building wraps, leaflets and transit ads on tricycles, pedicabs and terminals.

Sponsorships of city-led events by gambling operators are also banned.

Sotto said the measure builds on Pasig’s 2022 ordinance, which prohibited Philippine offshore gaming operators and computer gambling shops.

He said POGO operations have been banned nationwide, noting that two councilors were even offered money in 2022 to stop the city’s crackdown.

The new ban covers any promotional content that encourages gambling, except within the physical premises of licensed casinos and betting outlets.

The ordinance, authored by Councilor Paul Senogat, also prohibits gambling firms from sponsoring educational, sports, cultural, religious and city-organized events.