Philippines iGaming operators establish PlaySafe Alliance, a responsible gambling initiative
Summary
A coalition of 19 PAGCOR-licenced iGaming operators in the Philippines has launched the PlaySafe Alliance to promote responsible gambling, strengthen player protections and tackle illegal online operators. The initiative arrives as activists and some lawmakers push for stricter action against the sector, including calls for a ban.
The alliance says illegal platforms — estimated to account for roughly 70% of online gambling activity — are the main danger, enabling underage play, evading taxes and operating without regulatory safeguards. PlaySafe members have agreed a set of commitments covering compliance, marketing, KYC, education and support services.
Source
Key Points
- • Nineteen PAGCOR-licenced operators formed the PlaySafe Alliance to champion responsible gambling and cooperate against illegal operators.
- • Agreed measures include stricter marketing and advertising compliance, improved KYC and age verification, and enhanced self-exclusion tools.
- • The coalition plans public education to distinguish licenced providers from unregulated platforms and a strategy to combat illegal sites.
- • Members will invest in iGaming research, prevention and treatment programmes, including plans for a 24/7 national helpline.
- • Industry representatives argue the illegal market (estimated at ~70%) — not licenced operators — drives harm by avoiding controls and taxes.
- • Regulators and the president favour tighter regulation rather than an outright ban; online gaming generated PHP114.83 billion in H1 2025 (up 82.7% YoY).
- • PAGCOR has signed an agreement to pre-screen gambling ads with the Ad Standards Council and ordered removal of gambling ads in public spaces and prime-time TV effective this week.
Context and relevance
The PlaySafe Alliance is a timely industry response as national debate intensifies over the social impacts of online gambling. With the sector delivering substantial tax receipts and revenue growth, the alliance aims to shape regulatory discussions by offering collaborative safeguards rather than resisting oversight. Measures such as ad pre-screening and tighter KYC reflect global trends toward more responsible, transparent iGaming markets.
Why should I read this?
Because if you follow gambling policy, regulation or the Philippine market, this tells you how operators are trying to avoid a crackdown — and what practical steps theyʼre offering to prove they can be trusted. Itʼs the industry saying: we know thereʼs a problem, but shutting us down isnʼt the answer — hereʼs how we want to fix it.