Pagcor Voids P129 Million in Unauthorized Online Winnings
MANILA — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has voided at least ₱129 million in winnings from unauthorized online bettors during the first seven months of the year, officials reported at a recent Senate hearing.
With the rapid growth of online gaming in the Philippines, Pagcor has intensified the enforcement of its Know-Your-Customer (KYC) policy to prevent banned individuals from participating. This move aims to ensure that only authorized players can claim jackpot winnings.
Strict KYC Enforcement Blocks Illegal Payouts
Pagcor chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco emphasized, “We now have a secondary process in place, and Pagcor does not allow jackpot winnings to be paid out if we find out that you are a banned personality.”
As of July 2025, the agency has forfeited ₱129 million worth of winnings from those barred from gambling, Tengco added in response to questions from Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. These prohibited groups include government employees, students, and those under 21 years old.
Preventing Illegal Winnings Through E-Wallets
When asked how Pagcor stops payouts through e-wallets, Tengco highlighted the amount already blocked. “It is being blocked. As I mentioned, as of July 31, we have voided around ₱129 million to ₱130 million worth of transactions from individuals who were not supposed to be playing,” he explained.
Senate Raises Concerns Over KYC Implementation
However, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian presented a video demonstrating how users could register and start playing immediately on two online gaming sites—Piso Game and BigWin29—without undergoing KYC checks.
“So as we can see, the user was able to access the site immediately—they registered and could start playing right away, Mr. Chairman. No KYC, no ID verification, no biometrics,” Gatchalian said. He questioned the effectiveness of the KYC process, asking, “Are we just pretending? Where exactly is the KYC?”
Pagcor Investigates Illegal Online Operators
Pagcor assistant vice president Jeremy Luglug clarified that Piso Game is illegal since it is not among the authorized online gambling websites. Meanwhile, BigWin29 is listed, but the agency will investigate its operations.
Senator Gatchalian insisted, “There’s no need to investigate; you should just shut it down immediately.”
These developments highlight ongoing challenges in regulating online gaming and protecting vulnerable groups from unauthorized gambling activities.
For more news and updates on online gaming regulation, visit Filipinokami.com.
