Garganera proposes ordinance to give teeth to gambling ad ban in Cebu City
Councilor Garganera proposed an ordinance in Cebu City to prohibit gambling advertisements across various platforms, aiming to protect vulnerable groups.Summary
Councilor Joel Garganera has proposed the Cebu City Anti-Gambling Advertisement Ordinance to prohibit all gambling-related promotions visible to the public, encompassing billboards, media, digital platforms, and event sponsorships. This builds upon a previous resolution expressing opposition to such advertisements and seeks to strengthen enforcement through penalties. The proposal stems from growing concerns about the expansion of online betting platforms and their impact, particularly on minors and low-income families. Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy also voiced concerns during the Sinulog Festival preparations, opposing sponsorships from gambling companies due to conflicting moral messages. Garganera argues that unregulated ads normalize gambling and expose vulnerable populations to aggressive marketing. While a national bill (SB 109) also aims to regulate online gambling ads, the Cebu City ordinance is currently under review, with potential challenges in enforcement, especially for online advertisements originating outside the city.
(Source：SunStar Philippines)