The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) supports measures to tighten regulations on online gambling but opposes a total ban or complete prohibition of it.
This was the agency’s response amid criticisms from the Catholic Church and several lawmakers regarding the spread of online gambling in the country.
Pagcor Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro Tengco explained that their stance on the matter is to enforce stricter regulations rather than impose a total ban.
He stated that the government earns over ₱100 billion from online gambling, and thus, it should not be dismissed. The agency had earlier reported a net income of ₱84.97 billion in the previous year, half of which — or ₱48.79 billion — came from the “remarkable performance” of e-games and e-bingo.
The Pagcor chief also said that more than 32,000 jobs in the online gambling industry, as well as its ancillary businesses, would be affected if online gambling were to be fully banned.
He added that if a total ban on online gambling were to become law, security guards, drivers, messengers, and businesses such as restaurants and certain transport companies that support the online gambling industry would also lose their jobs.
Tengco emphasized that what truly harms the industry today are the illegal operators from other countries who target Filipino customers because they know Filipinos have a strong inclination toward gambling.
In line with this, proposals related to online gambling are currently being studied and finalized.
He also said that in the coming months, they will launch a hotline that people can call for help and advice.
Tengco also announced that Pagcor is currently in talks with a rehabilitation center that will assist gambling addicts.
They are also developing an AI tool or a self-exclusion button that individuals can activate if they become addicted, which will automatically block them from playing again.
The agency is also set to sign an agreement with the Ad Standards Council next week to allow the consumer protection nonprofit group to monitor the promotion of online gambling companies through billboards, television, and other advertising media.
