PAGCOR and ASC Collaborate to Regulate Gambling Advertisements in the Philippines

Collaboration Between PAGCOR and ASC to Monitor Gambling Ads

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the country’s media oversight body, the Ad Standards Council (ASC), have joined forces through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement mandates that all gambling-related advertisements across various media platforms undergo pre-screening before they are published or broadcasted.

Objectives and Commitment to Consumer Protection

This partnership aims to elevate advertising standards and protect the public, especially vulnerable groups, from the potential adverse effects of gambling promotions. Although PAGCOR initially indicated a cautious approach toward regulating gambling advertisements, the agency has since swiftly adopted a more proactive stance.

Alejandro Tengco, PAGCOR‘s Chief Executive Officer, expressed that the agencies had been in discussions about this initiative for nearly a year and are now ready to implement the agreed-upon measures immediately. This decisive action demonstrates a commitment to responsible gambling promotion and consumer safety.

Significance of the New Regulations

Golda Roldan, Chairperson of the ASC, highlighted that strengthening gambling advertisement regulations is a necessary progression in the country’s market to ensure consumer protection from gambling-related risks. She emphasized the importance of sensitivity and care in communications within the gambling sector.

The Philippines has been actively considering various regulatory actions, including proposals ranging from banning online gambling outright to imposing stricter controls on the use of digital payment methods like e-wallets for gambling transactions, alongside tighter advertisement regulations.

Broader Debate on Gambling Policies in the Philippines