Latest news with #DigiPlusInteractiveCorporation
GMA Network
23-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DigiPlus says total online gambling ban risks thousands of jobs
DigiPlus Interactive Corporation—the company behind popular online games BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone— on Wednesday reiterated its appeal to lawmakers to reconsider plans to legislate a total ban on online gambling, warning of massive job losses across the industry. In a statement, DigiPlus chairman Eusebio Tanco said the digital entertainment company is 'open to evolving and improving wherever needed.' 'If there are new standards to meet, or better ways to protect players, we will act swiftly and responsibly. But please, do not condemn an industry, and the 50,000 Filipino families who rely on it, without hearing the facts first,' Tanco said. Lawmakers have proposed a ban on online gambling, arguing that tighter industry regulations as proposed by some of their other colleagues would not be enough. The Department of Health said online gambling is a health issue. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said he will be studying the issue, including online gambling's possible effects on Filipinos' health and the economy. The DigiPlus chairman said the consequences of a total ban on online gambling 'go far beyond corporate risk.' 'More than 3,000 direct DigiPlus employees, and an estimated 50,000 jobs across the online gaming industry's nationwide network, including those in information technology, cybersecurity, software development, as well as multimedia artists, call center agents, security personnel, and housekeeping staff are now at risk,' he said. He added that banning licensed operators will not make online gaming go away, repeating his earlier assertion that a ban 'will only drive players toward illegal, unregulated sites with no safeguards.' Tanco expressed concern that responsible and law-abiding operators are 'being swept into a tide of suspicion meant to catch those who have never complied with regulation in the first place.' The DigiPlus chairman said the company 'has always done its best to align its operations with regulatory expectations from PAGCOR and other relevant government agencies.' 'Tell us what more we must do. And we will do it without hesitation. Just grant us the fairness owed to any lawful Filipino enterprise. We stand licensed, audited, and transparent, yet we are made to answer for the crimes of illegal operators who respect neither law nor livelihood,' Tanco said. 'We are appealing to the government: Let us approach this rationally. If we study the issue with clear eyes, we will see that the social ills being blamed on online gaming stem from the illegal market. That is where underage gambling happens. That is where financial abuse thrives. Target that, and the harm disappears,' he said. Tanco said that the company and the licensed gaming operators 'are not asking for special treatment,' but are 'simply asking to be judged by our actions, not by perception, nor by association with those who break the law.' 'Regulation works best when it uplifts what is working, not when it dismantles it,' he said. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DigiPlus calls on lawmakers to rethink total online gambling ban
DigiPlus Interactive Corporation—the company behind popular online games BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone—called on lawmakers to rethink moves to legislate a total ban on online gambling, backing tighter rules to ensure the protection of players. In a statement on Wednesday, DigiPlus expressed support for 'smart, balanced regulation that protects players, ensures industry accountability, and sustains the economic value generated by the legal online gaming sector' as calls mount for stricter controls on online gambling. 'We believe regulation is the path to player protection. It's the only way to safeguard players, preserve jobs, and close the door on illegal, underground platforms that operate without any oversight,' said DigiPlus chairman Eusebio Tanco. With this, the online games company urged policymakers 'to weigh the consequences of a total ban,' saying that the experience of other countries 'has shown that banning licensed platforms does not eliminate demand for online gaming, but merely shifts users to unregulated black markets where there are no protections, no taxes, and no accountability.' DigiPlus further said that a well-regulated environment can protect players, generate billions in government revenue, and sustain over 40,000 jobs across tech, marketing, entertainment, customer service, and compliance. 'With the right rules in place, the Philippines can be a model for safe, transparent online gaming in Asia,' said Tanco. 'We are ready to work hand-in-hand with regulators, legislators, and community groups to make that vision real,' added the DigiPlus chairman. DigiPlus said it has consistently aligned with the principles being raised by lawmakers and advocacy groups, adding that many of the proposed safeguards are already embedded across its platforms. It said that all users undergo strict Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification, including government ID checks and age gating. Responsible gaming features, such as deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and cooling-off periods, have been readily accessible since November 2024, the company said. DigiPlus said it is rolling out a new wave of initiatives, which would include enhanced affordability checks, behavioral nudges to curb excessive gaming, and referral pathways to licensed mental health experts. This month, the company said it will launch an in-app community spaces to engage players in responsible gaming conversations and peer support. DigiPlus said it complies with existing advertising restrictions and is actively revising its promotional strategies in light of new government guidance. Moreover, it said that its internal marketing mandate prohibits targeting minors, avoids depictions of wealth or urgency, and excludes messaging that could be construed as predatory. DigiPlus said its existing safeguards are not reactions to regulatory pressure, but part of a multi-year strategy to build a responsible gaming ecosystem. The company added that it invests in data science, player support systems, and compliance technologies. DigiPlus said it fully supports updated legislation, particularly around stronger penalties for illegal operators, and clearer advertising standards. — BM, GMA Integrated News
