Philippines Billboard Ban Reshapes iGaming Promotion — Here’s What You Need to Know For Your Ads To Succeed

July 18, 2025 3 min read

In a move marking a turning point for Asia’s iGaming landscape, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has ordered the removal of all gambling-related outdoor advertisements—from massive billboards to public transport ads—by August 15, 2025.

This sweeping directive sends a strong message: the era of visible gaming promotion is ending in the Philippines, and the rules for marketing are changing fast.

 

From Jeepneys to Skyscrapers: The Scope of the Ban

 

On July 7, PAGCOR issued a memorandum to all gaming operators, licensees, system administrators, and suppliers instructing them to remove any gambling ads visible on:

  • Billboards and wallscapes in major thoroughfares

  • Advertising on buses, jeepneys, taxis, and trains

  • Posters or displays on public transport hubs and pedestrian bridges 

 

Operators have until July 16 to submit a detailed inventory—size, location, rental contract, and permit info—to show the full extent of existing ad placements. By August 15, all such ads must be dismantled completely  .

Moving forward, only institutional or responsible gaming campaigns, and those pre-approved by PAGCOR, will be permitted in public spaces

 

Why PAGCOR Is Shifting Gears Now

PAGCOR’s leadership cites growing concerns about the impact of pervasive gambling ads on vulnerable populations, especially youth and low-income groups. Chairman Alejandro Tengco emphasized that while PAGCOR must generate revenue for nation-building, it will not promote gambling culture that risks addiction and social harm  .

In coordination with the Ad Standards Council, PAGCOR aims to establish new guidelines limiting ad sizes, forbidding placements near churches, schools, or hospitals, and enforcing broadcast restrictions during prime-time TV hours (5:30–8:30 p.m.) to limit exposure to children and families  .

 

What It Means for Digital iGaming Advertising

 

While this is primarily an OOH (out-of-home) directive, its ripple effects will be felt online:

 

  • Platforms like Meta and Google may tighten enforcement on Philippine-targeted ads, given the regulatory shift

  • Affiliates and operators may experience increased ad review time, disapprovals, or delivery disruptions in the local market

  • Scaling campaigns that previously relied on Thai or Filipino audiences will now require careful reconfiguration or geo-redirection

 

But note: infrastructure and ad designers can adapt.

 

Adsmaman offers ad solutions and operational frameworks suited for high-risk or rapidly changing markets. Whether you need geo-safe ad accounts, contingency traffic routing, or campaign strategies that avoid new restrictions, we help teams keep campaigns active—even when outdoor channels go dark.

 

First Reactions from Industry and Stakeholders

 

Initial response from operators has been measured. Many industry insiders expected tighter controls, but the scale and speed of the directive caught several off guard. Influencer marketing and content-creator partnerships have also been placed under heightened scrutiny, with calls to remove gambling promos from social channels swiftly ().

Despite the crackdown, PAGCOR stresses it is not seeking a total ban on gambling ads, but a shift toward more responsible visibility and fewer impulsive promotions. Operators must now choose between compliance and exposure  .

What Comes Next

 

  • July 16: Inventory of existing OOH ads due

  • August 15: Full removal deadline

  • July 16 (approx.): PAGCOR–ASC Memorandum of Agreement formalizes new outdoor and TV ad rules 

 

Meanwhile, regulatory conversations around online gambling ads—including TV, mobile apps, ride-hailing platforms, and social media—are accelerating. PAGCOR is exploring broadcast limits, content controls, and fintech collaboration to reinforce safeguards ().

 

 

Bottom Line

 

Philippines gambling marketing has just undergone a dramatic pivot: out-of-home ads are banned and public exposure is now being actively reduced. This shift sets a precedent across Asia, signaling a move toward responsible, less visible promotion in key markets.

For advertisers in iGaming, betting, or affiliate space—especially those serving Southeast Asia—it’s time to reassess risk, rethink media strategy, and align with compliant infrastructures.

Adsmaman specializes in exactly that: helping brands stay live and route around policy volatility, even as billboards go dark.

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