PAGCOR to Pre-Screen Gambling Ads Before Going Live

PAGCOR, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp, and the country’s media regulator, the Ad Standards Council (ASC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday, with the two watchdogs agreeing to pre-screen all gambling-related advertisements that appear across all media platforms.

PAGCOR and ASC Team Up to Limit Harmful Gambling Ads

The goal of the new cooperation is to ensure that PAGCOR delivers on a promise to protect vulnerable consumers by raising advertising standards in the country and protecting ordinary citizens from harm. While initially PAGCOR said that it would take its time insofar as gambling ads are concerned, the regulator changed its opinion almost immediately.

“Almost a year ago, we began initial talks about this initiative. Today, we are gathered here to formally sign this agreement so that we can immediately execute everything we committed to in this memorandum of understanding,” said Alejandro Tengco, PAGCO’s chief executive, who said last week that the regulator won’t move immediately against the sector, only to change his mind a few days later.

However, stricter ad regulations related to the gambling sector are finally arriving in the Philippines, even if it feels sudden. According to ASC chairperson Golda Roldan, this is a logical next step in the market’s development and a necessary prerequisite for protecting consumers from gambling-related harm.

“We stand with Pagcor in our shared goal of protecting the Filipino people, especially in sectors like gambling where communication requires greater sensitivity and care,” she added. The Philippines has seen a flurry of regulatory measures, and especially proposals that have ranged from a complete ban on online gambling to tighter restrictions on the use of e-wallets for gambling, as well as restricting advertisement.

Philippines Is Debating a Slew of Gambling Measures

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr reviewed a call for a complete ban on online gambling in the country earlier this week, but it is unlikely that the President to push ahead with the measure, as it would deprive the Philippines of a much-needed additional source of revenue.

Earlier this month, the Philippines has already issued an order to remove all gambling-related billboards and advertisements from public spaces, as the country is trying to minimize incidental exposure to gambling.