The Philippines’ Ad Standards Council (ASC) will require all gambling-related advertisements for corporate operators to be viewed and approved before being screened or published under a Memorandum of Understanding signed with gaming regulator PAGCOR on Wednesday.
The MoU adds gambling to the ASC’s list of “must-screen” categories – joining alcoholic beverages, over-the-counter medicines, food supplements, airline/transport services with promotional fares, and breast milk substitutes, according to information made public by the two agencies.
It also follows an order issued by PAGCOR late last week demanding the removal of all billboards and other Out of Home advertising for online gambling platforms to be taken down by 15 August.
In a statement, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said this latest move had been planned for the past nine months and dismissed criticism that the regulator was rushing through new restrictions amid mounting pressure from anti-gambling political forces.
“Almost a year ago, we began initial talks about this initiative,” Tengco said. “Today, we are gathered here to formally sign this agreement so that we can immediately execute everything we committed to in this Memorandum of Understanding.”
ASC Chairperson Golda Roldan added, “We stand with PAGCOR in our shared goal of protecting the Filipino people, especially in sectors like gambling where communication requires greater sensitivity and care.”
The MOU was cemented at a signing ceremony at PAGCOR’s Corporate Office in Pasay City.
