Summary
- The Philippines has introduced new regulations prohibiting gambling advertisements on billboards, taxis, and other vehicles.
- Alejandro Tengco, Chairman and CEO of PAGCOR, emphasizes the significance of the new regulations aimed at safeguarding young adults and vulnerable individuals.
- Licensees and stakeholders are granted a one-month notice to remove all gambling advertisements.
To safeguard customers against excessive gambling and potential harm, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which operates government-owned casinos and regulates gaming, has introduced new rules for gambling-related promotions in public areas.
Removing excessive gambling ads seeks to protect the youth and vulnerable individuals
Late last week, PAGCOR announced that all licensees, gambling venue operators, system administrators, and gaming suppliers were instructed to remove all gambling advertisements and promotions from public spaces. This directive impacts not only billboards but also advertisements found on taxis, buses, trains, and public utility vehicles, such as jeepneys. Under the new regulations, PAGCOR will need to approve any gambling advertisements or responsible gambling campaigns. Alejandro Tengco, PAGCOR's chair and CEO, explained that controlling excessive and pervasive gambling advertisements is essential for protecting vulnerable sectors of society, particularly the youth. He further emphasized, While PAGCOR is tasked with regulating the gaming industry and generating revenue for national development, we do not wish to foster a culture of gambling addiction. This announcement comes amid the continued growth of illegal online gambling in the Philippines. In a recent interview, Tengco highlighted the influence of offshore gambling companies, which reportedly account for around 50% of the iGaming market. Recently, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri proposed a complete ban on online gambling in the country. Despite this proposal, PAGCOR's chair and CEO acknowledged that such a ban could adversely affect consumers and reaffirmed PAGCOR's commitment to tackling these issues.
Deadline to remove all gambling-related ads is August 15, 2025
According to the recent announcement, gambling operators have until mid-August to remove all advertisements related to gambling. Tengco stated, We have given all our licensees and stakeholders a deadline of August 15 to completely remove all gambling-related advertisements. Furthermore, the executive noted, Stakeholders must submit an inventory of their existing billboard and wallscape advertisements by July 16. It is too early to determine how the removal of gambling billboards and other marketing materials will affect the industry or whether it will reduce the black market share and gambling harm. However, illegal gambling is not a problem limited to the Philippines; it is prevalent throughout Eastern Asia and other parts of the world, where criminal organizations use it for money laundering or profiting millions of dollars from unlawful gambling activities.
