Creating an Accessible Healthcare System

According to Oca, the upcoming helpline represents a milestone project designed to enhance patron protection and bolster public confidence in the regulatory institution. By offering 24/7 support, PAGCOR aims to create a comprehensive safety net for individuals struggling with gambling-related issues. The launch of this service is part of a broader strategy to demonstrate PAGCOR’s responsiveness to prevailing societal concerns regarding the gaming sector.

Regulation Extends Beyond the Casino Floor

As part of this protective framework, Oca noted that PAGCOR continues to collaborate closely with the Ad Standards Council to monitor gambling advertising. She highlighted that guidelines have already been issued requiring the removal of gaming advertisements from billboards and other forms of out-of-home media. These developments signal an increasingly strict regulatory environment where collaboration with third-party bodies is becoming integral to enforcement. Oca conveyed PAGCOR’s commitment to not only maintain these partnerships in the coming year but to expand them as political discourse surrounding local gambling volumes—particularly online—intensifies.

Operators Use Technology for Safeguards

While the regulator focuses on national initiatives, private gaming operators are implementing their own technology-driven safeguards. Nerie Aquino, Gaming Compliance Director at Tiger Resort, Leisure & Entertainment Inc (the promoter of Okada Manila), discussed the emerging gaming paradigm shaped by advancements such as artificial intelligence.

Aquino noted that Okada Manila has incorporated facial recognition technology into its operations since 2017. This technology serves as a critical component in identifying restricted individuals listed in the National Database for Restricted Persons maintained by PAGCOR. Furthermore, the establishment enforces strict Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines, processing all necessary data and conducting random verification checks on individuals seeking entry to the casino floor.

Digital Platforms Leverage Data for Early Intervention

The digital gaming sector is also utilizing its unique capabilities to identify at-risk behavior. Erick Su, Head of ArenaPlus (a sportsbook platform under DigiPlus Interactive Corp), explained how his company leverages digital platform data to monitor player welfare. He noted that the digital format allows for the quicker and more seamless integration of responsible gambling information and KYC procedures right from the registration phase.

Su described a proactive monitoring approach, particularly within the platform’s sports-focused community where players often share betting experiences and emotions on social media. ArenaPlus actively monitors these channels to detect signs of gambling-related emotional distress. When potential issues are identified, the platform intervenes by offering tools to help customers manage their play, such as setting session or loss limits. In more serious cases, the company assists players in subscribing to self-exclusion programs or seeking necessary treatment, demonstrating a data-driven approach to player protection.

A United Front for Safer Gaming

The collective efforts of the gaming regulator, land-based casinos, and online gaming platforms represent a multi-faceted approach to responsible gaming. From 24/7 hotline services to AI-assisted surveillance and data analytics, the industry is rallying around a diverse range of tools to address problem gambling. As 2026 approaches, the focus remains on ensuring these initiatives succeed in creating a safer environment for all stakeholders within the Philippine gaming industry.