BSP orders e-wallets to remove gambling links within 48 hours

The Philippines’ Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) directed supervised institutions to remove in-app links and icons leading to online gambling platforms, Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan said at a Senate hearing on 14 August. The Monetary Board approved the policy that day, giving e-wallet providers 48 hours to disconnect the features while allowing customers to withdraw funds. GCash and Maya said they were ready to comply; a consumer group warned that a full disconnection could push users towards unregulated platforms.