The Philippines’ Playsafe Alliance praised the recent Senate hearing on online gambling in a statement, asserting that the lawsuit has correctly identified the root causes of widespread social harm – Illegal, unlicensed gaming platform.
The alliance is a group of licensed online gambling operators, highlighting that prominent issues during hearings (including access to minors, uncontrolled betting and financial distress) are directly related to unregulated operators that exist outside the legal framework.
“We commend the Senate for surfaced at the hearing: The harm stressed… … originated from illegal, unlicensed platforms, not from Pagcor licensed operators,” the statement said.
The team highlighted the contrast between their operations and illegal sites.
They noted that licensed operators are subject to strict supervision by Philippine Entertainment and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which includes audits, sanctions and strict compliance with regulatory standards. These standards authorize strong Knowledge Customer (KYC) and age verification protocols, as well as responsible gaming mechanics designed to protect players.
“Where are regulations, protect existence; where illegal prosperity, protection disappears.” Playsafe Alliance declared.
The statement also discusses ongoing discussions about the disconnect between license operators on online payment platforms. The alliance has expressed support for the Bangkok Sentral Ng Pilipinas (BSP) targets for consumer protection and financial integrity, but warned that measures taken could inadvertently bring players into unregulated markets.
“Linking licensed operators from online payment platforms won’t stop gambling,” the statement warned. “It has the potential to push players into dark corners of the internet where activity is untrackable, taxes disappear, and harm more difficult to spot.”
Playsafe Alliance believes that the most effective way to protect consumer and financial integrity is to use traceable and supervised payment tracks to keep all legitimate gaming activities in the “regulatory perimeter.” This approach allows greater oversight and makes it easier for authorities to detect and offset illegal activities.
The Philippines’ Playsafe Alliance represents a united front for licensed online gambling operators, committed to promoting responsible gaming, ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting Filipino players. The organization said it is committed to working with governments and other stakeholders to create a safe and sustainable online gaming environment that will contribute positively to the country.
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