Pagcor bats for stricter regulation instead of total online gambling ban

National

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has expressed opposition to calls for a total ban on online gambling, saying tighter regulation is a more practical and beneficial approach.

Pagcor Chairman Alejandro Tengco, in an interview on One News’ Storycon, stressed that online gaming when properly regulated can serve as a significant source of government revenue.

In a report by Philstar, Tengco pointed out that in 2024 alone, Pagcor collected around P50 billion from online gaming operations, with half of that amount allocated to key social services, including the Universal Health Care Act, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Philippine Sports Commission and Dangerous Drugs Board.

Tengco underscored the need to clearly distinguish between legitimate operators and illegal offshore platforms that evade regulation and taxes while targeting Filipino users.

To strengthen monitoring, PAGCOR is investing in artificial intelligence tools capable of tracking user activity, flagging risky behavior, and automatically suspending accounts if necessary. AI systems will also ensure users are at least 21 years old through Know-Your-Client protocols.

“If you’re depositing more than usual or losing more than you win, your account may automatically be suspended,” Tengco said.

Countries such as Canada and the United States are already using similar technologies, which Pagcor aims to adopt as the local online gaming industry grows.

On July 16, the agency is set to sign an agreement with the Ad Standards Council to enforce stricter rules on advertisements of online gambling platforms. The new guidelines will apply to digital ads, billboards, and TV placements between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Pagcor is also coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry and the National Telecommunications Commission following complaints about gambling apps being pre-installed on mobile devices and aggressive digital ads, some of which reportedly target minors.

To help address gambling addiction, Pagcor plans to launch a 24/7 hotline offering counseling services.(MyTVCebu)