Pagcor supports stricter regulation of online gambling, not outright ban

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CEO Alejandro Tengco also announces that Pagcor, alongside the Ad Standards Council, will be signing a memorandum of agreement that would regulate outdoor billboards advertising online gambling platforms

MANILA, Philippines – Alejandro Tengco, chair and chief executive officer of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), spoke out in support of stricter regulations for online gambling.

In an interview with DZMM Teleradyo on Tuesday, July 8, Tengco said they support stricter regulations for online gambling and the curbing of online gambling platforms that haven’t been registered with Pagcor.

Speaking in Filipino, Tengco said, “Pagcor’s current stand is not for a total ban on online gambling, but rather, stricter regulation.”

Tengco said that stamping out online gambling would be very difficult. There’s also an untapped market, estimating that only about 45% to 50% of the online gaming sphere has been tapped so far owing to the prevalence of illegal online gambling platforms.

Tengco added these illegal platforms likely operate to target Filipinos, but are based abroad.

Tengco acknowledged that Pagcor makes about P50 billion in license fees alone in 2024, and does not include what licensed operators pay the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

He added that there are about 32,000 people directly employed by the industry. Ancillary businesses helping and supporting the e-gambling industry, such as guards, drivers, and food businesses among others, will also be affected by a total ban on e-gambling.

Additionally, Tengco acknowledged Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s proposed legislation to curb illegal operations and tighten regulations for online gambling, including preventing minors from accessing e-gambling operations. Tengco was also in support of instituting a higher minimum bet and top-up or deposit amount to curb online gambling abuse.

Meanwhile, Tengco added that GCash — and likely other e-wallets or payment processors — are working on improving “Know Your Customer” protocols, to ensure only those 21 and above can register to use online gambling services. He added that AI-powered tools would help in improving Know Your Customer protocols to lessen or stamp out bad registrations on electronic wallets.

There would also be an AI-powered mechanism for self-exclusion, so people can turn off their ability to gamble if they so choose, as well as an AI-powered cooling-off mechanism that would let heavy gamblers cool off and cut them off for a period of time if they lose too much money gambling.

Tengco also said Pagcor was tying up now with a dedicated group that addresses online gambling addiction, so those seeking help and support can call a hotline to talk to responders from a rehabilitation center called the Seagulls Flock Organization.

Tengco also announced during the interview that Pagcor, alongside the Ad Standards Council, will be signing a memorandum of agreement in a week that would regulate outdoor billboards advertising online gambling platforms. This would give time for billboard advertisement owners to take down their current billboards, and standards would be created that would regulate the sizes of outdoor billboards advertising online gambling.

Additionally, online gaming licensees will have to uphold a window during primetime hours where online gambling platforms will not be allowed to advertise on television. – Rappler.com