Dear PAO, Since my college days, I have been engaged with online gambling, only as a pastime or form of amusement. Recently, I was hired as an employee in the government office. I was informed by my co-worker that public employees are prohibited from engaging in any form of gambling. Is this correct? If so, what are the penalties if an employee is found guilty of participating in any online gambling?

Aurelis

Dear Aurelis,

Yes, your co-worker is correct in this regard. Government officials and employees are prohibited from participating in any form of gambling, including online betting. Such prohibition finds basis in Article XI, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution, which provides that “public office is a public trust.”

This constitutional mandate serves as the foundation for the ethical standards expected of all government personnel and requires all government officials and employees to maintain the highest standards of integrity, accountability, responsibility, and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

The ethical prohibition is likewise reinforced in Republic Act (RA) 6713, otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which Section 2 states:

“Public officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to the people and shall discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, integrity, competence and loyalty.”

Accordingly, government employees must refrain from engaging in activities that may impair the public’s trust in government or compromise the ethical standards required of public servants.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC), pursuant to its constitutional mandate, and recognizing that involvement in gambling activities may compromise an official or employee’s integrity and financial stability, has adopted CSC Resolution 2600111 dated Jan. 19, 2026, titled the “Policy on the Prohibition of Gambling Among Government Officials and Employees.” Said CSC Resolution enumerates the prohibited acts and sets out the administrative, criminal and civil liability of the offenders, to wit:

B. Prohibited Acts

The following acts shall be considered prohibited:

– Gambling in gambling houses, casinos, and similar establishments

– Gambling online or through electronic means

– Other forms of gambling

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E. Administrative, Criminal, and Civil Liability

Offenders shall be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to grave or simple misconduct or conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service, as the case may be, in accordance with civil service laws, rules, and regulations. This is without prejudice to the filing of criminal or civil charges under existing laws.

Likewise, in the 2025 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RACCS), gambling prohibited by law has been classified as a light offense, punishable by:

– Reprimand for the first offense;

– Suspension for the second offense; and

– Dismissal from the service for the third offense.

Clearly, from the foregoing, government employees are prohibited from engaging in online gambling as provided under the law and CSC Rules. Any violation of the prohibited acts would expose an official or employee to administrative offenses, in addition to possible criminal or civil charges.

We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice was solely based on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.