App to fight illegal online gambling sites to launch in December

• Photo from Pixabay

Filipinos will soon have a way to check whether an online gambling site is legitimate or operating illegally, as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) targets December 2026 for the launch of a mobile application designed to help users identify licensed gaming platforms.

The application will allow players to verify whether an online gambling platform is authorized by PAGCOR, helping them avoid unlicensed operators.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the initiative aims to give the public a reliable tool to distinguish legitimate gaming platforms from illegal gambling sites.

"This platform will give players a reliable way to verify which online gaming platforms are licensed by PAGCOR. We want the public to make informed choices and avoid falling prey to illegal operators," Tengco said.

The PAGCOR Board of Directors approved the application's development and implementation on October 8, including a proposed partnership with Development Bank of the Philippines Data Center, Inc. (DCI).

Under the proposed arrangement, DCI will develop, host, operate, and maintain the application, including providing technical support, at no cost to PAGCOR.

Before its full implementation, DCI must present a proof of concept for the application's minimum viable product (MVP), which PAGCOR will evaluate over six months.

The assessment will cover the platform's proposed features, system architecture, security controls, and overall feasibility.

PAGCOR may terminate the arrangement if DCI fails to address deficiencies identified during the evaluation period within a reasonable timeframe.

The partnership will also require compliance with applicable data privacy, cybersecurity, and information security laws, including the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

Data-sharing and information security provisions will be incorporated into the agreement or covered by a separate data-sharing agreement.

The proposed partnership between PAGCOR and DCI will run for five years, subject to renewal through mutual written agreement.

Meanwhile, PAGCOR is coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) to strengthen efforts against illegal online gambling operators.