ADVERTISEMENT
Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider E-gambling operators unify to address regulatory concerns

E-gambling operators unify to address regulatory concerns

Published Aug 8, 2025 04:02 pm
Amid an industry review, online gambling operators have joined forces to form the PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines, a group aimed at promoting responsible gambling, enhancing compliance, and combating illegal operators.
The alliance, made up of 19 founding organizations, was formally created on Friday, Aug. 8.
PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines
PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines
Its Interim Council includes DigiPlus Interactive Corp. (BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, GameZone), World Platinum Technologies Inc. (KingPH, LuckyPH, QueenPH), Trojans Well Entertainment Corp. (Bet88), Gavin Ventures Inc. (OKBet), Playmate Leisure Solutions Corp. (PlayTime), Stotsenberg Leisure Park & Hotel Corp. (Casino Plus, Perya Plus), Jade Entertainment and Gaming Technologies Inc. (Jade Sportsbet), Meta Interactive Software Solutions Inc. (123Go), and Enigma Software Solutions Inc. (Patokbet).
This move comes as the country undergoes “a comprehensive review of the local online gambling industry with lawmakers, regulators, and industry leaders now debating the best path forward to balance public welfare and economic contribution.”
Mike Defensor, president of World Platinum Technologies Inc. and spokesperson of the industry association, pointed towards the illegal market as the legitimate concern in the online gambling issue.
“No license, no control—minors can play, no taxes are paid, and rules are not followed. Instead of being protected, the public is put at risk,” Defensor said, adding that the majority or 70 percent of the online gambling market is illegal.
Meanwhile, legal, tax-paying operators account for only one-third of the market. “This is why strict regulation and focus on legal operators are crucial to ensure safe, responsible, and fair gaming for all,” Defensor said.
The newly formed association will initially work with Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to strengthen industry oversight and compliance, particularly on marketing and advertising rules.
It will also roll out stricter customer verification, age checks, and self-exclusion measures, while launching efforts to curb illegal and unlicensed operators. These would come alongside the launch of public awareness and health campaigns on safer gambling and the risks of using unregulated platforms.
More of its goals include investing in nationwide research, education, prevention, and treatment programs for online gambling, including a 24/7 National Gambling Helpline.
The PlaySafe Alliance will soon elect its officers and form strategic committees focused on areas such as player protection, advertising and marketing governance, financial risk control, and combating illegal gambling.
“The association’s founders also announced plans to onboard an independent advisory panel consisting of local and international experts to advise on responsible gaming regulation, public health, financial technology, and consumer advocacy topics,” it said.
Other organizations that signed up as members of the PlaySafe Alliance include Arden Consult; GoTech Entertainment Inc. (Filbet); IGO Digital High Technology Inc. (iGO, PremyoFun); NEMO Interactive Group Corporation (Fairplay, Ari********); Nextstage Entertainment Inc. (ANIBET); RAC Phil Corp. (LakiWin); Silver Goose 8 International Inc. (SG8); Skyline Nexus Corporation (Juan365); Webzoid System Solutions Corporation (Go Play Asia); and Xn Solutions Inc. (MegaPerya).

Related Tags

PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines online gambling
ADVERTISEMENT
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1561_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1562_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1563_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}

{{ articles_filter_1564_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.mb-article-details { position: relative; } .mb-article-details .article-body-preview, .mb-article-details .article-body-summary{ font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; font-family: "Libre Caslon Text", serif; color: #000; } .mb-article-details .article-body-preview iframe , .mb-article-details .article-body-summary iframe{ width: 100%; margin: auto; } .read-more-background { background: linear-gradient(180deg, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000 / 0) 13.75%, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000 / 0.8) 30.79%, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000) 72.5%); position: absolute; height: 200px; width: 100%; bottom: 0; display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; padding: 0; } .read-more-background a{ color: #000; } .read-more-btn { padding: 17px 45px; font-family: Inter; font-weight: 700; font-size: 18px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border: 1px solid black; background-color: white; } .hidden { display: none; }
function initializeAllSwipers() { // Get all hidden inputs with cms_article_id document.querySelectorAll('[id^="cms_article_id_"]').forEach(function (input) { const cmsArticleId = input.value; const articleSelector = '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .body_images'; const swiperElement = document.querySelector(articleSelector); if (swiperElement && !swiperElement.classList.contains('swiper-initialized')) { new Swiper(articleSelector, { loop: true, pagination: false, navigation: { nextEl: '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .swiper-button-next', prevEl: '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .swiper-button-prev', }, }); } }); } setTimeout(initializeAllSwipers, 3000); const intersectionObserver = new IntersectionObserver( (entries) => { entries.forEach((entry) => { if (entry.isIntersecting) { const newUrl = entry.target.getAttribute("data-url"); if (newUrl) { history.pushState(null, null, newUrl); let article = entry.target; // Extract metadata const author = article.querySelector('.author-section').textContent.replace('By', '').trim(); const section = article.querySelector('.section-info ').textContent.replace(' ', ' '); const title = article.querySelector('.article-title h1').textContent; // Parse URL for Chartbeat path format const parsedUrl = new URL(newUrl, window.location.origin); const cleanUrl = parsedUrl.host + parsedUrl.pathname; // Update Chartbeat configuration if (typeof window._sf_async_config !== 'undefined') { window._sf_async_config.path = cleanUrl; window._sf_async_config.sections = section; window._sf_async_config.authors = author; } // Track virtual page view with Chartbeat if (typeof pSUPERFLY !== 'undefined' && typeof pSUPERFLY.virtualPage === 'function') { try { pSUPERFLY.virtualPage({ path: cleanUrl, title: title, sections: section, authors: author }); } catch (error) { console.error('ping error', error); } } // Optional: Update document title if (title && title !== document.title) { document.title = title; } } } }); }, { threshold: 0.1 } ); function showArticleBody(button) { const article = button.closest("article"); const summary = article.querySelector(".article-body-summary"); const body = article.querySelector(".article-body-preview"); const readMoreSection = article.querySelector(".read-more-background"); // Hide summary and read-more section summary.style.display = "none"; readMoreSection.style.display = "none"; // Show the full article body body.classList.remove("hidden"); } document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", () => { let loadCount = 0; // Track how many times articles are loaded const offset = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]; // Offset values const currentUrl = window.location.pathname.substring(1); let isLoading = false; // Prevent multiple calls if (!currentUrl) { console.log("Current URL is invalid."); return; } const sentinel = document.getElementById("load-more-sentinel"); if (!sentinel) { console.log("Sentinel element not found."); return; } function isSentinelVisible() { const rect = sentinel.getBoundingClientRect(); return ( rect.top < window.innerHeight && rect.bottom >= 0 ); } function onScroll() { if (isLoading) return; if (isSentinelVisible()) { if (loadCount >= offset.length) { console.log("Maximum load attempts reached."); window.removeEventListener("scroll", onScroll); return; } isLoading = true; const currentOffset = offset[loadCount]; window.loadMoreItems().then(() => { let article = document.querySelector('#widget_1690 > div:nth-last-of-type(2) article'); intersectionObserver.observe(article) loadCount++; }).catch(error => { console.error("Error loading more items:", error); }).finally(() => { isLoading = false; }); } } window.addEventListener("scroll", onScroll); });
Join Our Newsletters

Sign up by email to receive news.

© 2025 Manila Bulletin The Nation's Leading Newspaper. All Rights Reserved.