PAGCOR looking to work with e-wallet firms to control online gambling addiction 

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is looking to collaborate with e-wallet companies in a bid to control addiction to online gambling. 

In Raffy Tima’s report in “24 Oras,” the PAGCOR admitted that it was difficult to monitor online gambling. 

“We are in initial discussion with them para po nga maka collaborate at partner tayo for responsible gambling campaign and also ma-monitor and siguro ma-block natin,” said Vina Ocam, PAGCOR's assistant vice president for Gaming Licensing and Development Department. 

(We are in initial discussion with them so we can collaborate or partner with them for a responsible gambling campaign, and also to monitor and block some people.) 

PAGCOR already has a program that seeks to control gambling addiction among Filipinos in which relatives may report their kin to ban them from gambling. 

“Meron tayong standards on awareness program within the premises mismo ng casino…Also yung nga po meron po tayong tinatawag na exclusion or banning program,” said Ocam. 

(We have standards on awareness programs within the premises of the casino….Also, we have this exclusion or banning program.) 

But experts said that gambling addiction is a disease that can be treated especially with the support of people. 

“With gambling, there’s this specific behavioral dynamic na parang teka andami ko ng lugi pero ang solusyon nila dun, kailangan ko pa mag bet para mabawi yung nawala ko,” said psychologist Anna Tuazon. 

(With gambling, there’s this specific behavioral dynamic that they feel that they have so many losses and the only solution they can think of is to place bets.) 

In Cebu, a man was arrested for stealing a phone to get money for gambling. 

Tuazon said such behavior is common among those with severe addiction to gambling. 

“One tell tale sign na severe na is may mga nawawalang gamit sa bahay, common yun e, a nasangla na, nabenta na kasi they need money to fund their gambling,” she said. 

(One telltale sign that someone has a severe case is when there are missing objects at home. Commonly, they would sell it to the pawnshop because they need money for gambling.) —Vince Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News