The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp is considering heightened regulations for iGaming, including enhanced player verification, a problem gambling helpline and a possible total ad ban.
“As digital gaming continues to grow, PAGCOR has implemented significant regulatory upgrades to protect players, promote transparency and ensure that online gaming operates within a secure and well-regulated environment,” PAGCOR chief Alejandro Tengco told the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement during a Wednesday hearing.
PAGCOR considers total iGaming ad ban
Among other measures, Tengco said the agency is considering an expansion of the current ban on gambling ads via broadcast media. “During prime time, [5:30-8:30pm] advertisements are already prohibited,” he said. “Radio and TV stations are asking if they can still show the ads during dead slots, mainly for advertising revenue. But for us, if it’s possible to completely ban them, that’s what we want to enforce.”
In 2025, PAGCOR ordered the removal of gambling-related billboards and ads on buses, taxis and trains. It also mandated that the Ads Standards Council pre-screen gambling promotions across social media and other digital platforms. Illegal ads are subject to blocking by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center and the National Telecommunications Commission.
Two-step player authentication
Jessa Mariz Fernandez, of PAGCOR’s Electronic Gaming Licensing Department, said the regulator is also “tightening the rules” around Know Your Customer requirements, to prevent players from sidestepping ID verification protocols. In addition to name and contact information, users must now submit valid government ID cards plus real-time selfies in order to make a deposit.
Fernandez said PAGCOR will offer multiple translations of its recently adopted tagline, “Gambling is addictive. Know when to stop”, to boost public awareness of the risks. According to InsiderPh, the regulator intentionally used the word “gambling” over the more euphemistic “gaming” to “preempt tighter legislative scrutiny and mounting public backlash” against the rapidly growing industry. The tagline replaced a previous version that simply advised users to “Keep it fun”.
PAGCOR is also collaborating with the Seagulls Flock Organisation to develop a 24/7 problem gambling helpline. The nonprofit will host the 3rd International Conference on Gambling and Gaming Addiction, 18-20 May in Manila.
How many Filipinos gamble legally online?
At Wednesday’s committee hearing, Tengo corrected Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who contended that more than 32 million adult Filipinos actively patronise legal iGaming platforms.
“Just a clarification on the numbers earlier – the 32 million are only registered users but the active players are around 10 million,” Tengco said. He pointed out that regular gamblers may register more than one account. “That is the sickness of the player or the gambler,” he continued. “They will participate in different operators because, as you know, when they get lucky there, they will stick to it. But when they get unlucky, they will transfer from one to the other.”
Meanwhile, as PAGCOR announces new and stricter rules for online gambling, it is also lobbying for a change that would restore the use of e-wallets to fund transactions. Last August, the Philippines Central Bank (BSP) ordered e-wallets like GCash and Maya to immediately remove in-app links directing users to gambling sites. Speaking on the sidelines at ICE Barcelona in January, Tengco said stronger player safeguards should convince the BSP “to allow linking once again of payment providers to eGaming operators”.
The new minimum guaranteed fees “hopefully strengthen the industry”, he added.
Marjorie Preston
Marjorie began her gaming career in 2007 and has focused on Asian gaming markets since 2020. Outside of work, she writes about travel and film and plays the drums.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/gaming/gaming-regulation/pagcor-implement-stronger-philippines-igaming-regulations/
