The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is facing scrutiny for permitting Maya Digital Savings Bank to feature casino games on its app.
Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo sought a House probe into Maya Bank for being the only one among six digital banks to have “so many gambling apps” on its platform.
“Can a Philippine savings bank run a platform with links to gambling?” asked Tulfo in a privilege speech.
Tulfo said there are worries about the legality and ethics of promoting casino games on the Maya app due to its easy accessibility and smooth payment options.
This leads to questions about whether it’s appropriate for the BSP to include such services in a widely used digital banking application with millions of users nationwide.
Tulfo said the House should examine the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s (Pagcor) capacity to oversee and regulate mobile wallet apps like Maya. This oversight is crucial to ensure responsible online gaming in light of rapid technological advancements.
In addition to Maya, the other licensed digital banks are UNO, Tonik, CIMB, Union Bank, and Go Tyme Bank, none of which have drawn attention for hosting gambling apps.