ONLINE gambling started in the Philippines during the pandemic. Now, it is a multi-billion industry with 70 licensed sites.
According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), it earned P50 billion in 2024 from online gambling, half of which went to the national treasury.
PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said they employ various means to protect users such as requiring games to undergo a laboratory certification.
“We require all the games to pass through a laboratory testing para mapatunayan na ‘yung laro or ‘yung game na kanilang ino-offer sa mga prospective customers ay fair, walang pandarayang nagaganap,” Tengco told ABS-CBN. “The third party laboratory companies can audit the back end of the game para makita nga balansyado ba ‘yan?”
PAGCOR also only allows those age 21 and up to access online gambling platforms.
It assured that it will help players get their money back or address any problem it will encounter with licensed online gambling sites.
According to Tengco, most of the complaints he receives about online gambling is because of illegal platforms.
PAGCOR reminds the public to check its website and look for the “PAGCOR Guarantee” to know which sites are legitimate.
Despite assurances from PAGCOR, lawmakers like senators Ronald Dela Rosa and Bong Go still call for a total ban on online gambling instead of imposing stricter regulation.
“I agree with my colleagues on the possibility of banning online gambling. I intend to file my own bill, or co-author similar measures. Masyado na pong malaki at malalim ang social cost nito,” Go said.
Attorney Tonet Quiogue, a counsel for gaming companies licensed by PAGCOR said that a total ban will only worsen the situation.
“Ang mga pinaka-makikinabang talaga dito sa total ban ay ‘yung mga illegal operators kasi yun, kung wala nang pagpipilian ang mga tao kung saan sila pupunta, eh mapipilitan talaga sila na pumunta dito sa mga illegal operators,” Quiogue said.
She explained how illegal online gambling sites lure a player.
“‘Yung una muna, papalaruin ka, iniiba nila ‘yung mga algorithm or ‘yung mga games para kunwari, you know, ma-entice ka or matuwa ka sa paglalaro. Sige, lagay ka lang nang lagay ng pera. Tapos, kapag marami ka ng pera, doon na nila iibahin and patatalunin ka,” she said.
Quiogue asked the government to intensify its campaign against illegal gambling platforms and to immediately take down unauthorized sites. (ABS-CBN News)
