PAGCOR plans to establish a round-the-clock gambling assistance hotline in the Philippines by 2026, assistant vice-president Vina Claudette Oca said. Oca also said the regulator has issued guidance on removing gambling adverts from billboards and other outdoor spaces and will continue working with the Ads Standards Council.
The planned hotline would give people experiencing gambling problems access to support at any time.
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Solaire Resort, Newport World Resorts and Okada Manila said their online gaming operations follow PAGCOR rules and responsible-gambling practices. They said their platforms use geographic restrictions, player verification, self-exclusion and deposit limits, while gaming equipment and games require PAGCOR approval before deployment.
Philippine senators proposed measures to restrict online gambling, including a bill seeking to prohibit licensed online betting platforms, apps and websites. A separate proposal would bar e-wallet use for betting and require a PHP10,000 minimum cash-in. PAGCOR said it would implement any measures passed by Congress and signed by the president; the proposals had not become law.
PAGCOR said it would comply with online gambling rules once Congress passes them and the president signs them into law. Former Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri said he had filed a bill to ban online betting platforms and require internet service providers to block them after notice from the Department of Justice or PAGCOR.
Senator Win Gatchalian filed a bill in the Philippines to outlaw online gambling and rescind Philippines Internet Gaming Operator permits. Bloomberry and DigiPlus shares fell during Thursday trading after the filing, with DigiPlus down 30% and Bloomberry down as much as 12%.
Senator Win Gatchalian filed a bill in the Philippines proposing tighter controls on online gambling, including a ₱10,000 minimum cash-in requirement, restrictions on sponsorships and rehabilitation funding from regulatory fees. The Akbayan party said it would file a related House bill, while DigiPlus Interactive shares fell nearly 14% on 3 July, according to the report.