PAGCOR, Ad Standards Council Ink MOU To Regulate Gambling Ads

After nine months of consultations, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Ad Standards Council (ASC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 16 to regulate and pre-screen gambling-related advertisements across all media platforms.

The regulations aim to curb misleading content and protect vulnerable sectors from potential harm. I Photo: PAGCOR Facebook

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco and ASC Chairperson Golda Roldan led the signing ceremony at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City, as part of ongoing efforts to promote responsible advertising in the gaming industry.

The agreement adds gambling to ASC’s list of “must-screen” categories, joining alcoholic beverages, over-the-counter medicines, food supplements, airline or transport services with promotional fares, and breast milk substitutes.

Mr. Tengco emphasized that the MOU was the result of careful planning and extensive consultations with ASC—contrary to claims by critics that it was a rushed response to recent concerns about illegal online gambling and unregulated advertising.

“Almost a year ago, we began initial talks about this initiative. Today, we are gathered here to formally sign this agreement so that we can immediately implement everything we committed to in this Memorandum of Understanding,” Mr. Tengco said.

Under the agreement, all branded or corporate gambling advertisements—including those on television, radio, online, and outdoor platforms—must be reviewed and approved by the ASC prior to public release.

This aims to curb misleading content and protect vulnerable sectors from potential harm.

“Simple lamang po ang pinaka-layunin natin dito: ang tiyakin na ang mga patalastas ukol sa sugal ay hindi nanlilinlang at hindi sumasamantala sa kahinaan ng iba,” the PAGCOR chief added.

For her part, ASC Chairperson Roldan said the collaboration underscores ASC’s commitment to protecting consumers, particularly in industries that require heightened sensitivity in messaging.