An online gaming operator has been penalized ₱1 million by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) following an unapproved marketing activity featuring actress and digital creator Ivana Alawi.
PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco revealed the enforcement action on Monday, August 24, during the House Committee on Appropriations’ review of the 2027 National Expenditure Program.
The development arose after Kamanggagawa Party-list Representative Eli San Fernando flagged the promotional drive—which allegedly promised a giveaway of 100 iPhone 17 units—as deceptive and in violation of regulatory standards.
Addressing the panel, Tengco confirmed that the operator failed to seek regulatory clearance prior to launching the campaign.
“Hindi po sila humingi ng permiso [sa PAGCOR],” Tengco stated.
“Ano po ang ginawa ng PAGCOR? We fined the online gaming company ₱1 million and together with that, gave them a stern warning na hindi na dapat maulit ito. Kung maulit ito, heavier fine,” he explained to San Fernando, who expressed satisfaction with the agency’s swift response.
Tengco emphasized that further non-compliance could yield far steeper penalties, warning that future violations “can lead to the suspension and ultimately the cancellation of their license.”
The regulator confirmed that the entity has already remitted the monetary fine and complied with orders to pull the promotion.
“Nagbayad po sila ng isang milyong piso at minanduhan din po namin sila your honor na ihinto na yung nasabing promotion na yun,” the PAGCOR chief added.
Additionally, Tengco disclosed that legal proceedings have been initiated against roughly 12 to 15 online influencers and content creators for endorsing illegal gambling operators. These charges were pursued by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center against individuals promoting platforms operating without valid PAGCOR licenses.
While several influencers have voluntarily withdrawn from unauthorized campaigns or transitioned to licensed entities following warnings, Tengco clarified that PAGCOR holds no direct law enforcement jurisdiction over individual content creators promoting unlicensed platforms.