The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is working closely with the Ad Standards Council (ASC) to regulate the proliferation of outdoor advertisements and billboards promoting online gambling.
In an interview with DZRH Dos Por Dos on Tuesday, PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco revealed that the agency is also planning to prohibit online gambling endorsements during primetime television.
“Ang PAGCOR po ay gumagawa ng stance sa pangkasalukuyan at maliwanag na naniniwala kami na better regulation ang dapat gawin natin,” Tengco said.
As part of its regulatory efforts, PAGCOR is now coordinating with the Ad Standards Council to tighten controls on advertising, particularly by limiting the exposure of billboard advertisements promoting online gambling.
“Ngayon katulong ng Ad Standard Council, maglalabas na po tayo ng mga regulation tungkol sa mga outdoor advertising gayundin sa primetime tv. Kung saan minumungkhi ng PAGCOR SA Ad Standard Council. During prime time, hindi na pwedeng mag-advertise," he added.
Tengco noted the sudden rise of massive gambling billboards in various locations and said new rules will be issued soon to control such promotions, including a primetime TV advertising ban.
Meanwhile, he further clarified that the real threat lies not in online gaming itself but in the thousands of illegal operators who remain active and target Filipinos.
According to Tengco, only about half of the online gambling market is currently regulated. Despite a reported 70 licensed operators, thousands of illegal sites continue to thrive.
Since the government ramped up regulatory efforts two years ago, PAGCOR has reported a significant drop in unregulated sites—from 7,000 to roughly 1,000. But Tengco warns that complaints continue to flood their office daily, almost all involving illegal operators.
“99% po nun ay problema sapagkat mga illegal ‘yung pinaglalaruan nila, kaya wala pong maitulong ang PAGCOR," he emphasized.
Instead of pushing for a total ban on online gambling, PAGCOR is advocating for stricter regulation.
Tengco argued that banning the industry outright would only push it further into the shadows, leaving players vulnerable.
“Sa paniwala po namin, mas lalong gugulo kapag may total ban 'pag tinotal ban natin ‘yan, imbes na ating maregulahan para po magkaroon ng mas may proteksyon ang mga manlalaro... wala pong proteksyon ang ating mga manlalaro.”
Tengco also highlighted the economic value of a properly regulated online gaming industry.
PAGCOR reported over P50 billion in revenues from online gaming in 2024, and estimates suggest this could grow to P62 to P65 billion in 2025.
“If it is properly regulated malaki po ang tulong ng online gaming industry sa ating bansa at sa atin ding kababayan,” he noted.
“Hindi naman po sa pera lang ang pinag-uusapan pero napakalaki ng kinita ng PAGCOR noong nakaraang taong 2024 dahil nareregulahan nang tama ang industriya,” Tengco said.
PAGCOR has formally recommended that online gambling advertising be added as the sixth category of regulated industries, joining milk, alcohol, and tobacco as part of the regulation.
