The Gaming Advocates for Meaningful and Ethical Reforms Coalition, Inc. or GAMERS Coalition, a newly organized group advocating ethical, proper and effective reforms in the electronic gaming industry, has joined the call urging unity among industry players and stakeholders in engaging government reform initiatives to safeguard the sector as the industry goes under increased scrutiny.
In a statement issued by its head, Jay Carizo, GAMERS Coalition said the group “takes the side of reform, legislative reform for that matter, but it should be based on accurate, scientific and relevant terms, without disregarding the fact that the real enemy is ILLEGAL GAMBLING.”
On Tuesday, the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has cautioned that a better legal framework, not overreaching restrictions, would ultimately determine the success of gambling regulation.
Amidst the calls to ban internet gaming, PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco called for a more rational approach that involves better overall regulation, rather than eliminating the entire industry, including its sectors that have proven productive and useful.
Tengco said that “while better guardrails in the sectors are needed, there is hardly a need to take things to an extreme.”
“The GAMERS coalition believes that gaming can be a source of innovation, employment, and community building—but only when rooted in integrity, transparency, and accountability,” said Carizo, who specializes on gaming policies.
“Gambling is a curious industry and it’s a tested fact that whenever limits are imposed hurting everyone, illegal gambling surges, as in the recent case of the Netherlands,” Carizo noted quoting a report from a gaming hub.
In an attempt to protect players, Dutch regulators introduced monthly deposit limits for online gambling, but instead of solving the problem, it may have pushed many players underground.
A growing number of gamblers are now turning to illegal, unregulated platforms — a trend that experts say undermines consumer safety and responsible gaming. Regulation, therefore, should protect — not push — players into harm’s way.
“Let’s not forget that one of the main reasons why we legalized gambling was to cut down illegal operations, and not the other way around,” the coalition statement said. As of this writing, bills have already been filed in Congress against online gambling and casinos, but lawmakers are split on how to deal with the problem, some eyeing restrictions while others push for a total ban.
Among others, Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, JV Ejercito, Win Gatchalian whose family owns the Waterfront Hotel and Casino, and the Akbayan Partylist are for restrictions, while Senator Migs Zubiri and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Adiong are going for total ban.
Based on this development, the coalition echoes the call for a unified front against over regulations and hurting sanctions, and its support for evidence-based policies. “As of May 2025, 52.5% of PAGCOR’s Gross Gaming Revenues came from Electronic Gaming, which supports nation-building, universal healthcare, and the real estate industry, among others,” the statement pointd out.
The coalition also supports various responsible gaming initiatives, among them the launch of formal trainings for Responsible Gaming Ambassadors, the update of responsible gaming slogans and introducing new ad templates, setting up 24/7 help lines for people that are addicted to online gambling.
As to advertising and regulation, Pagcor is set to sign a Memrandum of Agreement (MOA) with Ad Standards Council to regulate online gaming ads, including must-screen classification for all ad mediums and possible ad blackout periods for prime-time tv/radio slots.
GAMERS Coalition shares the stand of many of the industry’s experts such as gaming lawyer Tonet Quiogue on why proposed legislation aimed at taking down the online gaming sector in the Philippines may not be the best course of action for the nation.
Quiogue noted that illegal gaming operators “bypass all regulations, pay no taxes, and offer no player protections. If the goal of certain lawmakers is to eliminate the social ills of gambling […] then the logical approach is to surgically strike at these illicit operations, not to outlaw the entire industry and penalize legitimate stakeholders,” the statement stressed.