The PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines, in a released statement, lauded the recent Senate hearing on online gambling, asserting that the proceedings have correctly identified the root cause of widespread social harms — illegal, unlicensed gaming platforms.
The alliance, a collective of licensed online gambling operators, emphasized that the issues highlighted during the hearing — including underage access, uncontrolled betting, and financial distress — are directly linked to unregulated operators that exist outside the legal framework.
“We commend the Senate for surfacing the central truth in its hearing: the harms highlighted… stem from illegal, unlicensed platforms, not from PAGCOR-licensed operators,” the statement read.
The group highlighted the stark contrast between their operations and those of illegal sites.
Licensed operators, they noted, are subject to rigorous oversight from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), which includes audits, sanctions, and strict adherence to regulatory standards. These standards mandate robust Know-Your-Client (KYC) and age verification protocols, as well as responsible gaming mechanisms designed to protect players.
“Where regulation exists, protection exists; where illegality thrives, protection vanishes,” the PlaySafe Alliance declared.
The statement also addressed the ongoing discussion regarding the delinking of licensed operators from online payment platforms. The alliance expressed its support for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) goals of consumer protection and financial integrity, but cautioned against measures that could inadvertently drive players towards the unregulated market.
“Delinking licensed operators from online payment platforms would not stop gambling,” the statement warned. “It risks pushing players into the dark corners of the internet where activity is untraceable, taxes disappear, and harm is harder to detect.”
The PlaySafe Alliance argues that the most effective way to protect consumers and uphold financial integrity is to keep all lawful gaming activity within the “regulatory perimeter,” utilizing traceable and supervised payment rails. This approach allows for greater oversight and makes it easier for authorities to detect and counter illicit activities.
The PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines represents a united front of licensed online gambling operators dedicated to promoting responsible gaming, ensuring regulatory compliance, and protecting Filipino players. The group says it is committed to working with the government and other stakeholders to create a safe and sustainable online gaming environment that contributes positively to the nation.
Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.
Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.