The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has fined an online gaming company P1 million after it conducted a promotional campaign without authorization from the agency.
PAGCOR Chair and CEO Alejandro Tengco confirmed the penalty after Kamanggagawa Party-list Rep. Eli San Fernando raised concerns during a House Committee on Appropriations hearing over the growing number of content creators and influencers promoting online gambling.
Among those cited during the hearing was content creator Ivana Alawi, who had promoted a giveaway involving 100 high-end cellphones. To participate, individuals were required to like the Facebook page of the online gambling platform.
According to Tengco, the gaming company was penalized because it conducted the promotional campaign without PAGCOR’s permission.
Aside from the P1 million fine, PAGCOR ordered the company to stop the promotional activity.
The agency also warned that heavier sanctions could be imposed if the violation happens again. These penalties may include the suspension or cancellation of the company’s license.
The issue comes as government officials discuss the continued promotion of online gambling through content creators and influencers.
Tengco also said PAGCOR is coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Telecommunications Commission and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center to address the promotion of illegal online gambling platforms.
The PAGCOR chief emphasized that the company’s promotional campaign was penalized because it was conducted without authorization from the agency.
The matter was raised during the House appropriations hearing amid discussions about online gambling promotions involving social media personalities.
