The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) imposed a ₱1 million fine on a gambling firm for sponsoring influencer Ivana Alawi’s giveaway of 100 cellphones in July without securing the regulator’s prior approval, PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco said Wednesday.
During an interview with DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Tengco said the company sponsored a giveaway of 100 mobile phones involving Alawi in July without securing the regulator’s prior approval.
He also said PAGCOR immediately ordered the company to stop the promotional activity after learning that the gaming operator had launched the campaign without notifying the agency.
“Nung aming malaman or nakita na nagkaroon nga ng promotion or marketing effort ang isang operator na may lisensya ng PAGCOR ngunit hindi naman nakapagpaalam sa PAGCOR... kaagad naming ipinahinto ’yung nasabing marketing efforts,” Tengco said.
“Binigyan namin sila ng fine na nagkakahalagang P1 million,” he added.
Tengco had earlier confirmed this during the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations’ hearing on the agency’s 2027 budget on Tuesday, August 25.
The top official also said the company was also warned that repeat violations could result in heavier penalties, including the suspension or cancellation of its gaming license.
Tengco said the ₱1 million penalty was deemed appropriate for the company’s first offense, but stressed that succeeding violations could carry more serious sanctions.
Alawi’s involvement in gambling-related promotions has also drawn regulatory and public attention, particularly amid concerns over celebrities and influencers endorsing online gaming platforms.
Tengco said the government agencies, including the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), have been monitoring online activities to ensure that influencers do not promote illegal or unlicensed gaming sites.
