Three of the biggest names in Philippine gaming—Newport World Resorts, Okada Manila, and Solaire Resort—decided to speak with one voice this weekend. Their target? The growing list of restrictions that lawmakers want to slap on the country’s online gaming scene.
On top of this, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri has been pushing for a complete ban on online gambling and other officials demanding tighter rules; these operators felt they had to respond.
What Started This Whole Mess
The controversy began when lawmakers started proposing what they call necessary reforms to the eGames sector. Some of these changes sound reasonable enough, stronger Know-Your-Customer rules and better regulation of gambling ads.
Take the proposed minimum top-up threshold of PHP 10,000. That’s roughly $177 for a single deposit, which would shut out a massive chunk of casual players. Even more damaging is the proposed ban on popular payment platforms like GCash and Maya working with online betting operators. These digital wallets have become the backbone of how Filipinos handle money online, so losing them would be devastating. Then there’s Senator Zubiri’s bill, which does not mess around with half-measures. He wants to ban all online gambling in the Philippines completely.
The Operators Strike Back
In their weekend statement, they made it clear they think the current system already works fine. “Our online gaming operations are a regulated and responsibly managed extension of our operations – designed to complement our primary offerings,” they said.
According to their statement, they “prioritize ethical business practices and promote responsible gaming under the robust regulation of PAGCOR.” The operators also emphasized that their platforms “adhere rigorously to AML regulations” and implement “comprehensive Know-Your-Customer (KYC) procedures and player verification within 72 hours of registration.“
They also talked about offering tools such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, and account restrictions, and maintaining stringent age-gating systems and verification to keep minors away from their platforms. They also mentioned providing resources for individuals seeking assistance with gambling-related issues.
Technical Standards and Oversight
The operators wanted everyone to know that their technical operations meet strict standards, too. They pointed out that all gaming equipment is subject to full testing and accreditation before use, including the random number generators used in electronic gaming machines.
They defended their practices by noting that their promotional materials undergo thorough review and approval from PAGCOR and the Advertising Standards Council (ASC), which ensures ethical communication and social responsibility.
The operators also mentioned that “every employee holds a valid gaming employment license from PAGCOR and participates in annual compliance training programs.” They also highlighted how “routine audits of our gaming systems, transaction records, and compliance procedures reinforce our accountability and integrity.“
A Broader Industry Response
Both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco have publicly stated that they believe some new restrictions are necessary for the eGames sector.
Late last week, another group of online gaming operators issued their own statement warning that excessive restrictions might backfire completely.
Their argument was simple but powerful: “Out of 195 countries worldwide, 177 choose to regulate online gaming. Only 18 nations, including North Korea, Iran, and Somalia, maintain total bans, and none have succeeded in eradicating underground gaming.“
Where Things Stand Now
What happens next will likely determine the future of online gaming in the Philippines. The three major resorts have made their position clear; they believe the current regulatory framework is working and that additional restrictions would be counterproductive. Whether lawmakers will listen to their arguments remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the battle over the future of Philippine online gaming is just getting started.
Source: Inside Asian Gaming (IAG)
