The Philippines is taking a big step in protecting consumers from online gambling. Major e-wallets like GCash and Maya have removed in-app access to online gambling platforms following a directive from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). This move is meant to help users avoid the risks of online gambling, including addiction and potential financial loss.
Suspension of Gaming Access
GCash officially suspended access to gaming through its GLife feature starting August 16, 2025. Users were advised to withdraw any remaining funds from their gaming accounts before the cutoff. After the deadline, funds can only be accessed directly through the gaming platform itself.
Maya also followed suit, disabling its in-app Games feature. Users were reminded to retrieve any remaining balance before the cutoff, as future withdrawals would have to go through the gaming provider’s own platform.
Why the BSP Took Action
The BSP issued a directive requiring all BSP-supervised financial institutions to remove links to online gambling from their apps and websites. The goal is to promote responsible financial behavior and reduce the easy access to online gambling, which can lead to overspending and financial instability.
This aligns with broader government efforts to regulate online gambling. Lawmakers are also pushing measures to prohibit the promotion of gambling on e-wallets and to impose stricter regulations on gambling-related transactions.
What Games Were Affected?
Before the directive, e-wallet users could access a number of popular gambling platforms directly through GCash’s GLife and Maya’s Games section. These included apps like BingoPlus, Tongits, Color Game, Playtime, Super Ace, and other online betting games.
With the new rules in place, these gambling options are no longer available within e-wallet apps. Anyone who still wants to use them would have to go directly to the gaming provider’s own website instead.
What This Means for Users
For regular users, these changes have some important benefits:
- Consumer Protection: Limiting easy access to gambling helps prevent impulsive spending and protects vulnerable users from addiction.
- Financial Stability: Users are less likely to face unexpected losses from in-app gambling.
- Compliance and Safety: E-wallets now comply with national regulations, which increases trust and security in digital payments.
Blogger’s Corner
Honestly, I’m fully in favor of this move. As someone who follows personal finance closely, I know how easy it is to lose track of money when gambling is just a tap away on your phone. Removing gambling links from e-wallets isn’t about taking away freedom—it’s about helping people make smarter financial choices and avoid situations that could drain their hard-earned money.
For me, this is a step in the right direction. If we want Filipinos to build wealth, we need to remove temptations that encourage instant gratification and risky behavior. I believe e-wallets doing this is a positive change, and I hope other fintech platforms follow the same path.