Pasig City in Metro Manila has become one of the strictest local jurisdictions in Asia when it comes to gambling marketing, after passing an ordinance that effectively bans all gambling advertising and promotion in public spaces.
Under Ordinance No. 26 s-2025, authored by Councilor Paul Senogat and signed by Mayor Vico Sotto, the city now prohibits billboards, signages, building wraps, LED screens, transit ads on public utility vehicles, and printed materials such as flyers and brochures that promote gambling within Pasig’s jurisdiction.
Advertising for gambling services is only allowed inside the physical premises of licensed casinos and betting outlets located in the city. Any out-of-home or street-level media promoting betting, casinos or online gambling brands is now off-limits.
Sotto explained that while the local government has limited control over national and online gambling, it can significantly reduce exposure by cutting off advertising in public spaces. He pointed to numerous cases of residents whose lives were harmed by addiction to “active-play gambling games” and argued that constant reminders and promotions make it harder for vulnerable people to stay away.
The ordinance also covers page-based endorsements and promotions of gambling aimed at Pasig residents, signalling that the city intends to police not just large outdoor campaigns but also smaller, localized promotional efforts.
For operators and affiliates, Pasig’s move is a clear warning: even in countries where gambling is legal, city-level bans on marketing can sharply limit brand visibility. The focus now shifts to compliant in-venue promotion and national digital campaigns that respect local ad blackouts.
