PAGCOR orders dismantling of gambling billboards until August 15, 2025

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) announced Friday it has ordered gaming licensees and other industry stakeholders to dismantle all billboards and out-of-home (OOH) gambling advertisements by August 15 this year.

In a statement, PAGCOR said it issued a memorandum last July 7 directing all licensees, suppliers, system administrators, and gaming venue operators to take down gambling ad materials, including those displayed on trains, buses, jeepneys, and taxis. 

The gaming industry regulator said that it would only permit institutional or responsible gaming campaigns, subject to approval, moving forward.

"We have given all our licensees and stakeholders until August 15 to completely remove all gambling-related ads," said PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco. 

"Prior to that, stakeholders must also submit an inventory of their existing billboard and wallscape advertisements by July 16," added Tengco.

The inventory must include the size, material, location, rental contract expiration, and the corresponding permit number from the Ad Standards Council (ASC), according to the PAGCOR chief.

"While PAGCOR is mandated to regulate the gaming industry and generate revenues for nation-building, we do not want to encourage a culture of gambling addiction," said Tengco.

"Regulating excessive and pervasive gambling advertisements is a critical step in protecting vulnerable sectors of society, especially the youth," added the PAGCOR chief.

PAGCOR further warned against replacing the dismantled advertisements with new gambling promotions, stressing that non-compliance will be dealt with accordingly.

Stricter regulation

Senator JV Ejercito, who earlier filed a resolution seeking the regulation of online gambling and lending in the country, welcomed PAGCOR's move, which he called a "victory."

"Mahalagang hakbang ito para maproteksyunan ang publiko, lalo na ang kabataan, laban sa normalization at tila maluwag na pagtanggap ng pagsusugal sa ating mga komunidad," the senator said. 

(This is an important step to protect the public, especially the youth, against the normalization and acceptance of gambling in our communities.) 

"May this victory be the beginning of stricter regulation and control against online sugal (gambling)," he added. — with a report from Giselle Ombay/ VDV, GMA Integrated News