Philippine Responsible Gambling Measures Tighten with Helpline and Ad Curbs

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Hands holding an Iphone as Philippine announce 24/7 helpline to aid responsible gaming measures

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said it will launch a nationwide, round‑the‑clock problem‑gambling helpline in 2026 as part of a stepped‑up responsible‑gaming framework.

Key Takeaways: 

  • PAGCOR plans to launch a 24/7 problem-gambling helpline nationwide in 2026
  • New advertising restrictions include removal of billboard and out-of-home gambling ads as part of responsible gambling measures 
  • Industry adopts advanced tech and self-exclusion measures to enhance player safety 

Responsible Gambling Measures Take Shape

According to Yogonet, the plan was reiterated by Vina Claudette Oca, Assistant Vice President of PAGCOR’s Gaming Licensing and Development Department, at G2E Asia 2025 in Manila; officials say the supporting counselling and intervention infrastructure is now in place to assist affected families across the country. The responsible gaming measures intend to rebuild public confidence amid rapid iGaming sector growth. 

PAGCOR has simultaneously ordered the removal of out‑of‑home gambling promotions and tightened pre‑screening of new ads with the Ad Standards Council. “We’ve already given instructions to take down gaming-related ads for billboards and out-of-home ads as well,” Oca said at the conference. 

Government memoranda issued earlier in 2025 set an August 15 deadline for dismantling billboards and public‑transport ads and require operators to submit inventories; PAGCOR chair Alejandro Tengco has restricted new ads to institutional or approved responsible‑gaming campaigns. Industry guidance now mandates a standardized responsible‑gaming tagline and ASC pre‑clearance for all gambling creative work.

Technology Drive Stronger Player Protection

Operators and platforms are rolling out tech and self‑exclusion measures in response. Landed casinos and digital sportsbooks described expanded KYC, facial‑recognition screening against PAGCOR’s restricted persons database, data‑driven player monitoring and community moderation to detect distress, steps industry data shows can accelerate intervention and reduce harm.

Enforcement, advertising limits and the helpline together signal a regulatory pivot toward prevention and oversight as the market expands, following broader policy debates this year over online gambling controls, including proposed restrictions on e-wallet use as part of wider player-protection efforts.