PAGCOR, ASC mull total ban on online gambling ads on TV, radio

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Wednesday said it is exploring the possibility of completely prohibiting advertisements for online gambling platforms on television and radio.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco made the remark during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, noting that online gambling ads are currently banned on air only during prime time—from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

“That's what I'm saying. It's already prohibited during prime time, but what about the dead hours—like 10 or 11 a.m., or 2 or 3 p.m.? Are you studying the possibility of a total ban?” asked Senator Erwin Tulfo, committee chair.

Tengco said PAGCOR and the Advertising Standards Council (ASC) are reviewing the measure.

Tengco made the remark as the committee tackled several measures on the regulation of online gambling in the country.

Other measures seek to investigate the impact of online gaming on families and the youth, as well as monitor the effectiveness of PAGCOR as a gaming regulator amid findings that casinos were used for money laundering activities.

Tengco admitted that while ads were banned on certain periods, some TV and radio stations have requested to continue airing online gambling ads during off-peak hours.

“Radio and TV stations are asking if they can still show the ads during dead slots, mainly for advertising revenue,” Tengco said.

“Pero sa amin po, kung maaari talagang wala na, iyon talaga ang gusto naming ipatupad,” he added.

(But for us, if it’s possible to completely ban them, that’s what we want to enforce.)

Last year, PAGCOR and ASC signed a memorandum of agreement to regulate advertisements for online gambling platforms. The rules cover outdoor ads such as billboards as well as prime-time TV commercials.—MCG, GMA Integrated News