The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation or PAGCOR has ordered the removal of all gambling billboards and out-of-home advertisements before August 15. This includes ads on trains, buses, jeepneys, and taxis. The order is part of measures to control the spread of gambling promotions.
According to PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco, all licensees, suppliers, system admins, and gaming venue operators must submit an inventory of their existing billboards before July 16. This must include dimensions, materials, location, contract expiration date, and Ad Standards Council permit number.
Tengco said that while PAGCOR aims to raise funds for the country, they do not want to promote gambling activities, especially among youths. He said the restriction on gambling ads is protection for those who are easily influenced.
PAGCOR also warns that those who fail to comply with the order may face penalties, and cannot replace the removed ads with new ones.
In this regard, the FinTech Alliance Philippines has issued guidelines to restrict online gambling payments using digital platforms. This is supported by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to ensure the safe and legal use of payment channels. Meanwhile, several legislators and government agencies are advocating for a crackdown or complete ban on online gambling in the country.
