Philippine-listed licensed online gaming operator DigiPlus Interactive Corp says it agrees that regulation is the “path to player protection,” but that “many of the proposed safeguards” mentioned recently by local lawmakers are already in place in its business.
The company urged lawmakers not to drive the sector underground and beyond the reach of regulation, by banning it.
DigiPlus chairman Eusebio Tanco, stated in a Wednesday press release from the company: “We believe regulation is the path to player protection. It’s the only way to safeguard players, preserve jobs, and close the door on illegal, underground platforms that operate without any oversight.”
In the Philippines the brand runs BingoPlus, described as that country’s first government-approved online bingo platform. It also operates ArenaPlus, a sportsbook; and GameZone, a platform for casual and arcade gaming. The company said it “has consistently aligned with the principles being raised by lawmakers and advocacy groups.”
DigiPlus added: “Many of the proposed safeguards are already embedded across [our] platforms. All users undergo strict know-your-customer (KYC) verification, including government ID checks and age gating.
“Responsible gaming features, such as deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and cooling-off periods, have been readily accessible since November 2024.”
The company further noted that beyond existing tools, it had fresh initiatives including “enhanced affordability checks, behavioural nudges to curb excessive gaming, and referral pathways to licensed mental health experts”.
DigiPlus stated that within this month, it will launch “in-app community spaces to engage players in responsible gaming conversations and peer support”.
“Across all its platforms, responsible gaming content is now featured more prominently than ever, not as fine print, but as part of the core user experience,” it added.
The country’s gaming regulator, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor), and the nation’s Ad Standards Council signed on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding for the regulation and pre-screening of gambling-related advertisements across all media platforms.
DigiPlus said in its Wednesday update that it “complies with existing advertising restrictions and is actively revising its promotional strategies in light of new government guidance”. The company added that its “internal marketing mandate” prohibits targeting minors, “avoids depictions of wealth or urgency, and excludes messaging that could be construed as predatory”.
Proactive on player safety
DigiPlus asserted that the measures were “not reactions to regulatory pressure”, but part of a multi-year strategy to build a “responsible gaming ecosystem”.
The company said it invests in data science, player support systems, and compliance technologies “precisely because it believes the future of gaming depends on trust and transparency”.
It added: “That is why it fully supports updated legislation, particularly around stronger penalties for illegal operators, and clearer advertising standards.”
The Philippine leader, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, is said to be reviewing calls for a total ban on the online gambling sector in the country, according to remarks on Tuesday by undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office, Claire Castro.
A growing chorus of voices in the Philippines has called for changes to the online gaming sector, ranging from tighter restrictions on access to digital gambling platforms, to additional taxes, and a ban on the use of e-wallets for gambling purposes. There have even been calls for a complete ban by a number of senators.
For its part, DigiPlus said in its Wednesday update that it “urges policymakers to weigh the consequences of a total ban”.
The company asserted: “The experience of other countries has shown that banning licensed platforms does not eliminate demand for online gaming, but merely shifts users to unregulated black markets where there are no protections, no taxes, and no accountability.”
“In contrast, a well-regulated environment can protect players, generate billions in government revenue, and sustain over 40,000 jobs across tech, marketing, entertainment, customer service, and compliance,” it added.
DigiPlus’ Mr Tanco added: “With the right rules in place, the Philippines can be a model for safe, transparent online gaming in Asia. We are ready to work hand-in-hand with regulators, legislators, and community groups to make that vision real.”
DigiPlus’ stock price fell by 20.4 percent on Wednesday, to close at PHP27.90 (US$0.49) per share.
Earlier this month, the company announced a share repurchase programme of up to PHP6.0 billion worth of the company’s common shares. As of Wednesday, the remaining balance of the amount for the share buyback programme was just under PHP5.80 billion.
