The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Advertising Standards Council (ASC) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), announcing the enhancement of regulations on all gambling-related advertisements. In the future, any related content on television, radio, online platforms, and outdoor advertising must not be published without official pre-approval, and will be fully included in the mandatory review category.
According to the agreement, all advertisements involving gambling operations or brand image, regardless of the media form, must be submitted to the ASC for content review beforehand. This measure aims to prevent misleading promotions, avoid advertising impacts on vulnerable groups such as youth, and curb addiction or inappropriate consumption behaviors.
Consequently, gambling advertisements have also been included in the same mandatory review list as alcohol, non-prescription drugs, nutritional supplements, airline fares, and infant formula, becoming a key regulatory category.
The introduction of this new regulation is set against the backdrop of ongoing controversies triggered by the rapid expansion of online gambling. On one hand, some public opinions advocate for a complete ban, while on the other, there are voices calling for enhanced regulations rather than a total prohibition. This MoU is seen as a step by the government to seek a balance between "controlled development" and public safety, aiming to curb disorderly dissemination.
