(Santi San Juan | MB)
To regulate the growing exposure of Filipinos to gambling, the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has ordered all gaming licensees, operators, suppliers, and system administrators to take down all gambling-related billboards and other out-of-home advertisements.
“We have given all our licensees and stakeholders until August 15 to completely remove all gambling-related ads,” said Pagcor Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco in a statement released on Friday, July 11.
“All licensees, suppliers, system administrators, and gaming venue operators” were given more than a month to comply with Pagcor’s new directive, which was issued to concerned entities last Monday, July 7.
Pagcor stated that the order encompasses both static and digital advertising materials promoting gambling. Ad materials are displayed on trains, buses, jeepneys, and taxis.
Meanwhile, the agency noted that “only institutional or responsible gaming campaigns will be permitted moving forward.” All their applications to publicly display ad materials will still be “subject to Pagcor’s approval.”
Prior to the complete takedown of gambling ads, Pagcor said that stakeholders were also ordered to “submit an inventory of their existing billboard and wallscape advertisements by July 16.”
According to Tengco, the inventory “must include the size, material, location, rental contract expiration, and the corresponding permit number from the Ad Standards Council (ASC).”
“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,” Tengco said.
He added that “regulating excessive and pervasive gambling advertisements is a critical step in protecting vulnerable sectors of society, especially the youth.”
Pagcor also restricts the replacement of dismantled advertisements with new gambling ad materials. “Non-compliance will be dealt with accordingly,” it said.
Tengco said that Pagcor’s move is part of the state gaming agency’s commitment to enhancing a “safer and more responsible” gaming environment in the Philippines.