PAGCOR Says Hacked NDRP Not a List of Gambling Addicts

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has clarified that its National Database of Restricted Persons (NDRP) is not a list of gambling addicts but a registry of individuals prohibited from gambling, such as government officials.

PAGCOR's clarification came after social media posts claimed hackers accessed the NDRP and mischaracterized it as a list of gambling addicts.

The state gaming regulator also stressed that the hacked list did not originate from PAGCOR’s own website, but was likely obtained from one of its licensed operators who have access to the NDRP for screening and compliance purposes.

PAGCOR’s Gaming Licensing and Development Department (GLDD), which maintains the database, explained that the NDRP remains incomplete and continues to be updated with inputs from other government agencies.

Ma. Vina Claudette Oca, Assistant Vice President for GLDD, said the database currently contains more than 560,000 names, primarily elected officials listed on the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) website.

“The names on the list are not necessarily addicted gamblers. Most are government officials who, by law, are not allowed to enter gambling establishments,” Oca said.

She added that 1,711 individuals in the NDRP are banned persons — those who requested self-exclusion, were excluded by family members, or were barred by licensees — but emphasized that they are not necessarily gambling addicts or government officials.

Oca noted the database is far from complete given the millions of government workers nationwide.

The clarification came after social media posts claimed hackers accessed the NDRP and mischaracterized it as a list of gambling addicts.