PAGCOR signs MOU with the Ad Standards Council to prescreen gambling advertising
Philippines gambling regulator PAGCOR and the advertising standards watchdog, the Ad Standards Council, have agreed to implement pre-screening and regulate gambling advertisements across all media platforms.
The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding to see the Ad Standards Council screen gambling-related advertisements before they are released for public viewing. Gambling advertisements will now fall into the same category as alcoholic beverages, over-the-counter medicines, and food supplements.
Ad Standards Council Chairperson Golda Roldan said, “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.”
While PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Alejandro Tengco confirmed the deal was backed by nine months of research and consultations.
It is the latest in a recent series of gambling-regulation moves from PAGCOR, which recently banned all gambling-related billboards, out-of-home advertisements, and TV advertisements during primetime hours.
While PAGCOR works to create a more strongly regulated igaming market, that industry may be shut down entirely. Several lawmakers have called for a total ban on online gambling, a move which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is considering.
Dig deeper
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