The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has pledged to uphold any new legislation that lawmakers propose to regulate the gambling industry. The announcement comes at a time when authorities are considering stringent measures to improve player safety.
PAGCOR Reaffirms Its Role: Planned Actions for Safe Online Gambling
- Several bills proposing gambling reforms have been presented to the Philippine cabinet. From banning gambling transactions to implementing stricter age verification, several new regulations are in the pipeline.
- The Philippine central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), earlier announced the drafting of a circular preventing the use of e-wallets and other online payment systems for gambling transactions.
- PAGCOR came out in support of all efforts by the Filipino authorities to curb the proliferation of illegal online gambling, reiterating its commitment to building a safe and sustainable environment for players and gaming operators.
PAGCOR Reiterates Commitment to Building a Safer Gambling Environment
PAGCOR pledged complete commitment to abiding by all new regulations and intensifying efforts against illegal gambling activities. In a statement to the press, the company’s representatives acknowledged the lawmakers’ duty to frame new rules that benefit the people. The statement read:
It is the prerogative of the lawmakers to propose regulations that will benefit the people. PAGCOR is committed to following all relevant regulations once they are cleared by the Senate and signed into law by the President.
Several bills related to online gambling reforms have been presented in both chambers of Congress. Several party-list candidates from Akbayan and Bicol Saro proposed banning all forms of digital payments for gambling transactions, including popular e-wallets like Maya and GCash.
Additionally, Akbayan party members revealed plans to file a bill proposing stricter age verification for gamblers, increasing the minimum required deposit, and removing gambling access from e-wallets, with the added goal of protecting players from online casino scams. Lawmakers believe that inaccessibility will reduce gambling addiction.
While waiting for the new regulation to take force, PAGCOR reiterated its commitment to enforcing existing statutes. PAGCOR revealed in a statement:
Rest assured that we are committed to intensifying our efforts against the propagation of illegal gambling sites, along with law enforcement agencies and like-minded individuals.
Several Gambling Reforms in the Pipeline
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri filed a bill seeking a blanket ban on online gambling in the Philippines, calling it a silent epidemic attacking the general population. Zubiri compared the bill, titled the Anti-Online Gambling Act 2025, with the dangers once posed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), calling for an immediate ban on local gambling operations.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian filed a petition in the upper chamber of Congress proposing a ban on digital gambling transactions, including e-wallets. He also proposed raising the minimum deposit requirement to PHP 10,000 (€150) to discourage gambling and imposing restrictions on gambling advertisements, especially in sensitive locations such as schools and residential areas.
PAGCOR recently launched the PAGCOR Guarantee website, where players can verify the authenticity of online gambling sites complying with local regulations, ensuring public safety. This is part of the government’s initiative to raise awareness among gambling enthusiasts and maintain a transparent and reliable database for players to access, reducing dependence on offshore gambling sites.
The Philippine central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), had previously announced plans to draft a circular banning the use of its e-wallet payment systems for gambling transactions through banks under its supervision. This includes other banks and financial services providers that offer digital gambling access. The BSP has already circulated the draft proposal to stakeholders and is reviewing their feedback.