The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) has affirmed its previously-pledged 24/7 problem gambling helpline will be launched in 2026.
So said Vina Claudette Oca, assistant vice president at the regulator’s gaming licensing and development department. She was speaking on a Thursday panel (pictured) at Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia @ the Philippines 2025, a casino industry trade exhibition and conference held in Manila.
She said it would be a “milestone” project that would further protect patrons, and cement public trust in the regulator.
Ms Oca also highlighted Pagcor’s collaboration with the country’s Ads Standards Council (ASC) in regulating all gambling-related advertisements across all media platforms.
“We’ve already given instructions to take down gaming-related ads for billboards and out-of-home ads as well. So these are continuing partnerships with these third-party entities, and we look forward to continue that next year and strengthen these partnerships as well,” said Ms Oca.
The measures come against the backdrop of political debate in the country about the level of domestic gambling, particularly online gambling.
Okada Manila – a gaming resort at Entertainment City in Manila – has its own particular commitment to a “sustainable” gaming environment, said during the same panel Nerie Aquino, director of gaming compliance at the venue’s promoter Tiger Resort, Leisure & Entertainment Inc, during the panel session.
“The landscape of gaming right now is shifting as we have the new technology,” including “AI” (artificial intelligence), she noted.
“Since 2017, Okada Manila has already integrated a facial recognition system. This is an aid for the identifying of banned persons that are included in Pagcor’s [the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp’s] National Database for Restricted Persons,” said Ms Aquino.
She also stated the property processed “all the required details for KYC” (know your customer), as well as making “random checks for those who are entering our casino”.
Erick Su, head of ArenaPlus, a sportsbook platform from DigiPlus Interactive Corp, said at the session that his company has been making use of its digital-platform data to help identify at-risk players.
“We can leverage our digital platform from where the customer is coming in to register… showing them the information on responsible gambling, [and] KYC,” in support of player safeguards including the protection of minors, noted Mr Su.
The digital format made that “quicker and easier,” said Mr Su.
He additionally stated: “At ArenaPlus we are very sports focused – and we have a big community, where a lot of players are sharing information,” about “their betting experience and how they feel”. Those thoughts were even posted on the brand’s social media accounts.
Those social media sources “we actively monitor” to “see if a player is getting into emotional issues,” in relation to their play, Mr Su noted.
If observing signs of problem gambling, ArenaPlus would interpose itself in the play, offering the relevant customer “tools” such as setting session limits, or loss limits. In addition, ArenaPlus would assist the players to subscribe to a self-exclusion programme, or to get necessary treament, Mr Su said.
