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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has rejected a complete ban on online gambling, choosing instead to improve regulations. The gaming authority believes that proper control is better than full restriction and is now preparing new safety steps to make gambling safer for everyone.
PAGCOR Supports Regulation, Not a Total Ban
PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco shared in a TV interview that banning online gambling would not help the country. Instead, it could push people toward illegal gambling. He said the legal online gambling sector made PHP 50 billion (around $855 million) in 2024, and half of that money helped support healthcare, sports, and anti-drug projects.
Tengco said clearly, “Regulation is the answer.”
AI Monitoring and Stronger Identity Checks Are Coming
To protect players, PAGCOR is planning to use artificial intelligence (AI). These tools will track how much time and money players spend. If someone is losing too much or betting in strange ways, their account might get flagged or paused.
Along with this, new rules will require better ID and age checks to make sure that minors and vulnerable users cannot access gambling sites easily.
These changes are focused on stopping gambling harm before it becomes serious.
Stricter Advertising Rules and a New Helpline
PAGCOR is also planning new advertising rules for gambling. A formal deal with the Ad Standards Council will be signed on July 16, aiming to stop ads from reaching young or at-risk audiences.
One rule is that gambling ads cannot run between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., a time when many young viewers are watching TV or online content.
Alongside this, PAGCOR is setting up a 24/7 hotline to help people facing gambling problems. This support line will provide advice and help at any time, offering more safety to Filipino players.
Working With Other Departments to Stop Gambling Risks
PAGCOR is not acting alone. It is working with other Philippine agencies like:
- Department of Trade and Industry
- National Telecommunications Commission
- Department of Finance
- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
Together, they are solving issues such as pre-installed casino apps on phones and aggressive marketing aimed at minors.
The Department of Finance is also designing a new tax system for online gambling, while BSP plans to give banks and digital wallets new rules to limit gambling risks. These changes will make sure that gambling is fair and safer from both a financial and social perspective.
Also Read: Step-by-Step Guide To Getting An Anjouan iGaming Licence
