Maya calls gambling what it is — no more euphemisms

DECODED: TECH, TRUTH, AND THREATS

By Art Samaniego

For years, the digital payments industry has quietly adopted the term “gaming” to soften the reality of what it was enabling: online gambling. By using a lighter, more harmless-sounding word, platforms blurred the lines between entertainment and addiction, masking the risks tied to an activity that has destroyed lives, drained savings, and trapped countless Filipinos in a cycle of debt.

Maya has now decided to draw a clear line. In its revised statement, the company openly referred to these sites as gambling platforms, signaling an end to the wordplay that allowed the practice to hide in plain sight.

“Maya has fully complied with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) directive by disabling links to gambling sites via the Games feature in the Maya app effective 16 August 2025, 8:00 PM. We fully support the BSP’s efforts and will continue to work closely with them in promoting the responsible use of digital financial services.”

The move is more than just a compliance update. Words matter. Calling gambling “gaming” doesn’t just downplay the risks—it makes it easier for children and vulnerable users to stumble into it, thinking it’s as harmless as mobile puzzles or online chess.

That euphemism has also allowed gambling operators to skirt scrutiny, disguise their offerings, and market themselves more aggressively.

By stripping away the gloss and naming it for what it is, Maya is taking a stand that acknowledges both the regulatory direction of the BSP and the growing public demand for transparency.

It also sets a precedent for the industry: digital wallets and financial apps can no longer hide behind word tricks when dealing with activities that have serious financial and social consequences.

Maya’s statement sends a powerful message: gambling should not be normalized, softened, or disguised. It must be confronted head-on for what it is, and digital platforms have a responsibility to ensure their services are not exploited to spread it further.