Players may soon have a mobile tool to check whether online gaming platforms are licensed, with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) targeting December 2026 to launch an application aimed at curbing illegal online gambling.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said the app would allow users to verify licensed operators and make informed choices before engaging in online gaming.
“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 in a news release on Monday.
The PAGCOR Board of Directors approved the app’s development and implementation on Oct. 8, including a proposed partnership with Development Bank of the Philippines Data Center Inc. (DCI) to develop, operate and maintain the platform, subject to applicable laws and regulations.
DCI will provide the app’s development, hosting, operations, maintenance and technical support at no cost to PAGCOR.
Before full implementation, DCI must submit a proof of concept for a minimum viable product for PAGCOR’s evaluation and acceptance. The six-month assessment will cover the proposed features, system architecture, security controls and overall feasibility.
PAGCOR may terminate the arrangement if DCI fails to address deficiencies identified during the evaluation within a reasonable period.
The partnership will also require compliance with data privacy, cybersecurity and information security laws, including the Data Privacy Act of 2012. The parties will incorporate data-sharing and information security provisions into their terms or establish a separate data-sharing agreement.
The agreement will run for five years, with renewal possible through mutual written consent.
PAGCOR is also coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, National Telecommunications Commission and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center to strengthen efforts against illegal online gambling operators.
Photo courtesy of PhilStar
Comments