PAGCOR fines online-gaming firm ₱1 million for Ivana Alawi-giveaway promo

PAGCOR fined a licensed online gambling company ₱1 million for launching a smartphone giveaway promoted by actress and content creator Ivana Alawi without prior regulatory approval.

The giveaway, which Alawi announced on July 15, involved 100 high-end cellphones worth more than ₱4 million. The phones were funded by the online gambling platform she endorses. 

Participants were asked to engage with the company’s Facebook page by liking, commenting, or subscribing. In the video, Alawi also thanked the company for helping purchase the phones.

The promo came under scrutiny during the House Committee on Appropriations’ hearing on PAGCOR’s proposed 2027 budget, where Kamanggagawa party-list Rep. Elijah “Eli” San Fernando raised the broader issue of content creators and influencers endorsing and promoting online gambling.

“Ito pong mga content creator na ito hindi sumusunod doon sa regulation as set by PAGCOR and the Ads Standard Council,” San Fernando said.

He specifically cited Alawi’s giveaway, pointing out that it did not show compliance with Ads Standard Council requirements or any authority approval from PAGCOR.

PAGCOR Chairperson and CEO Alejandro Tengco confirmed that the online gambling operator did not obtain the agency’s permission before launching the promotional campaign. As a result, PAGCOR ordered the company to stop the giveaway immediately and imposed the ₱1 million penalty.

Tengco explained that PAGCOR has the authority to penalize the company because it is a licensed and legally operating gambling operator under the agency. He warned that repeat violations could result in heavier penalties, including the possible suspension or cancellation of its license.

He also said that about half of the online gambling operators in the country are illegal.

During the hearing, Tengco stressed that promos encouraging audiences to engage with online gambling while bypassing regulatory requirements are against PAGCOR’s guidelines.

San Fernando, meanwhile, warned that such promos could put at risk ordinary workers, minimum wage earners, and other low-income Filipinos, whom he said are among those most vulnerable to gambling addiction.