Article by:
Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) said Wednesday it is implementing tighter know-your-customer (KYC) rules, stricter advertising controls, and expanded responsible gaming measures as the Senate scrutinized the social and financial risks posed by online gambling.
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement hearing, Pagcor Electronic Gaming Licensing Department officer in charge Jessa Mariz Fernandez said the regulator closed gaps that previously allowed players to access platforms before identity checks were completed.
“Ngayon po, hinihigpitan po natin na bago pa lamang po sila makapag-deposit ay makapag-present na po sila ng mga initial KYC requirements po nila (We are now tightening the rules so that even before they can deposit, they must already submit their initial KYC requirements),” Fernandez said.
She said the updated KYC process requires a registrant’s name, contact details, a valid government-issued ID, and a real-time selfie with the ID to curb the use of borrowed or fake identities, a concern repeatedly raised by senators in earlier hearings.
On advertising, Pagcor said it is finalizing implementing rules with the Ads Standards Council to cover gambling promotions across social media and other digital platforms, while illegal advertisements are being monitored and reported for blocking to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center and the National Telecommunications Commission.
Pagcor chairperson Alejandro Tengco told the panel that gambling advertisements are already banned during primetime television and radio hours and that regulators are studying the feasibility of a full-day ban.
“Sa prime time po, bawal na po na mag-advertise (During prime time, advertisements are already prohibited),” Tengco said, adding that discussions with industry stakeholders are ongoing on whether to extend the ban to all broadcast hours.
Fernandez said Pagcor is strengthening its Responsible Gaming Practice in the first quarter of 2026, including localized translations of the tagline “Gambling is addictive, know when to stop,” to broaden public awareness.
She said implemented measures include online self-exclusion tools on gaming platforms, accreditation of treatment and rehabilitation centers for problem gamblers, stricter KYC enforcement, and the removal of gambling-related billboards and other outdoor advertisements.
Pagcor said it is preparing a 24/7 helpline offering confidential counseling and support to problem gamblers and their families, and developing a guarantee application in cooperation with a government bank to ensure consumers transact only with licensed platforms.
Committee chair Senator Erwin Tulfo, in his opening statement, said the inquiry is conducted in aid of legislation amid concerns that weak enforcement exposes minors, enables identity misuse, and creates vulnerabilities for money laundering.
“Gambling regulation is, therefore, no longer just industry oversight. It is now a matter of consumer protection, digital safety, and protection of the financial system,” he said. (PNA)
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