Cebu City bans ads promoting gambling

Local

THE Cebu City Council has approved a resolution banning all forms of gambling advertisements within the city, citing concerns over gambling addiction, financial hardship, and the exposure of minors to aggressive promotional content.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Joel Garganera, was approved during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

In the measure, the council said the Cebu City Government is committed to protecting the welfare, morals, and well-being of its constituents, particularly the youth and other vulnerable sectors, amid the growing presence of gambling advertisements in public spaces and digital platforms.

The resolution noted that gambling advertisements—both physical and online—have been found to significantly contribute to addiction and other social problems that affect families and communities. It also cited local reports and studies indicating a rise in online gambling activities, which are heavily promoted through social media, digital platforms, and sponsored community events.

According to the council, the unregulated presence of gambling advertisements within the city normalizes gambling behavior and exposes minors to persuasive marketing strategies that may encourage risky habits at an early age.

“The unregulated presence of gambling advertisements within Cebu City normalizes gambling behavior and exposes minors to persuasive marketing strategies that may lead to risky habits,” the resolution stated.

Under the approved measure, all gambling advertisements are banned and prohibited within Cebu City, including billboards, posters, LED screens, printed materials, digital or online advertisements, sponsored events, and other promotional activities by gambling operators.

The resolution directs the Cebu City Business Process and Licensing Office, the Cebu City Police Office, the City Legal Office, and other concerned departments to strictly monitor, identify, and remove gambling advertisements displayed within the city.

It also authorizes the secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod to furnish copies of the resolution to the Office of the Mayor, the Cebu City Police Office, the Business Process and Licensing Office, the City Legal Office, the Office of the Liga ng mga Barangay, and other concerned agencies for their information and guidance.

During the same session, the council approved a corollary motion from Councilor Francis Esparis urging government employees to refrain from playing online games, particularly online gambling, during office hours. Another related motion called on media outlets to be formally reminded about the repeated promotion of gambling-related content.

The advertising ban forms part of a broader policy direction by the Cebu City Government to regulate gambling activities and limit their social impact.

Earlier, the council approved a separate resolution authored by Councilor Nyza Archival directing the city’s Management Information and Computer Services office to block access to online gambling websites and virtual private network applications on all Cebu City Government internet networks, including office systems and public Wi-Fi connections.

That measure also prohibits city government employees from engaging in any form of gambling during official work hours and provides for administrative sanctions under City Ordinance No. 2142, or the Cebu City Code of Ethics for Government Employees.

City officials said the measures are intended to ensure that public spaces and government resources are protected from activities that may undermine public welfare and productivity.(TGP)