MANILA, Philippines — The inquiry initiated recently by the Senate has properly identified the root cause of widespread social harms—illegal and unlicensed gaming platforms—a group of licensed online gaming operators said on Sunday.
Lauding the initiative of the chamber, the PlaySafe Alliance PH said that the issues highlighted during the hearing such as underage access, uncontrolled betting, and financial distress were directly linked to unregulated operators that exist outside the legal framework.
“We commend the Senate for surfacing the central truth in its hearing: the harms highlighted stem from illegal, unlicensed platforms, not from PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation)-licensed operators,” the alliance said in a statement.
The group cited the stark contrast between their operations and those of illegal sites.
It stressed that licensed operators were subject to rigorous oversight from PAGCOR, which includes audits, sanctions, and strict adherence to regulatory standards.
“These standards mandate robust Know-Your-Client and age verification protocols, as well as responsible gaming mechanisms designed to protect players,” the alliance said.
“Where regulation exists, protection exists; where illegality thrives, protection vanishes,” it added.
The group cautioned against measures that could inadvertently drive players towards the unregulated market.
While it supports the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ goals of consumer protection and financial integrity, the alliance said that delinking licensed operators from online payment platforms would not stop gambling.
“It risks pushing players into the dark corners of the internet where activity is untraceable, taxes disappear, and harm is harder to detect,” it explained.
The group emphasized that the most effective way to protect consumers and uphold financial integrity is to keep all lawful gaming activity within the “regulatory perimeter,” utilizing traceable and supervised payment rails.
“This approach allows for greater oversight and makes it easier for authorities to detect and counter illicit activities,” it said.
The alliance said it represents a united front of licensed online gambling operators dedicated to promoting responsible gaming, ensuring regulatory compliance, and protecting Filipino players.
