TikTok pauses gambling ads starting Aug. 22
Starting on Friday, Aug. 22, TikTok will temporarily stop running online gambling ads in the Philippines.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda confirmed that the video-sharing platform has agreed to pause running real money gambling advertisements in the Philippines beginning on Friday.
“It shows that even major global platforms are willing to join us in our cause,” he said. “Through Digital Bayanihan, we are proving that when the government, private sector, and the people work together, we can ensure that the internet is not only fast and affordable, but also safe and responsible.”
Meanwhile, TikTok reaffirmed its commitment to work with Philippine authorities to "provide a safe and positive environment" for its users. It underscored that its advertising policies for gambling and related activities were designed to safeguard users, like requiring proper licenses and strict age restrictions.
According to TikTok’s policy in the Philippines, advertisements for both online and offline gambling are permitted only if specific requirements are met, which include working with a TikTok Sales Representative to determine eligibility and a restriction to viewers 25 years of age and older.
It noted that non-casino games are prohibited, except for “fantasy sports” that meet the same requirements.
In its separate policy, "social casino games" or games that do not involve real-world value or financial rewards must be restricted to users 18 years old and above and must have a clear presentation “that players cannot win anything with real-world value.”
TikTok will pause its policy regarding real money gambling advertisements pending final regulatory guidelines from relevant Philippine authorities.
The platform will pause its policy on real money gambling advertisements while waiting for final regulatory guidelines from the relevant Philippine authorities.
Before this, e-wallet platforms GCash and Maya assured that they would comply with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' order to remove in-app links from online gambling platforms. (With reports from Janvic Mateo)
