Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR revealed Friday it has ordered one of its licensees to pull out of an advertising sponsorship for an online TV program featuring “nearly naked” women.
PAGCOR Assistant Vice President for the Electronic Gaming and Licensing Department, Atty. Jeremy Luglug, said he had contacted the unnamed licensee after an online podcast informed the agency about the sponsorship for the controversial TV show hosted by a popular actor.
This, PAGCOR explained, was in order to ensure the integrity of the local gaming industry.
“We will not tolerate such advertising support by any of our licensees for such very demeaning and sex-oriented show,” Luglug said, adding that the licensee in question is a Filipino, not a foreigner.
He also rejected claims made on the podcast that young people are becoming addicted to gambling in the Philippines, insisting that only adults have access to gaming sites and electronic wallets that are being used to place bets.
“Our licensees have very strict Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols to ensure that only those who are 21 years old and above can play and the same is true with our e-wallet providers,” he said.
According to Luglug, these protocols are why it is important that locals only play on gaming sites licensed by PAGCOR.
“We urge the public, especially our parents, to ensure that young people are not able to access sites that are intended only for adults,” he said.
“We also urge gamers and players to patronize only PAGCOR-licensed gaming operators to preserve the integrity of the gaming industry.”
