Senator Francis Escudero has introduced a new bill that aims to impose a blanket ban on gambling ads in the Philippines, which will cover TV, social media, radio, and print.
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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has announced plans to launch a new app by the end of 2026, which would help players identify legal and licensed gambling websites.
The app is set to build on the regulatory body’s current verification system that was launched in 2025, called PAGCOR Guarantee, and aims to work as part of the broader government initiative against illegal operators and their payment funnels.
The announcement of the application was made on August 25, 2026, by CEO and Chairman of PAGCOR, Alejandro Tengco, during a budget hearing before the House Committee on Appropriations.
Tengco shared:
“The PAGCOR app has two main objectives: first, to curb illegal online gambling and second, to protect players by ensuring that they play only on platforms licensed and regulated by PAGCOR. For those who patronize online gaming, we encourage them to use the PAGCOR app. The easier it is for them to identify where they can legally play, the better we can protect them from illegal operators and the risks that come with unregulated gaming.”
Additionally, PAGCOR is partnering with multiple government agencies to develop the app, including the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
