Alejandro H. Tengco, Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), urged for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders in the gaming industry to combat the risks associated with problem gambling and addiction.
Speaking at the 2nd International Conference on Responsible Gambling and Addiction, Tengco highlighted the importance of a comprehensive approach to address the negative consequences of gambling, including financial devastation.
“As regulators, policymakers, industry operators, healthcare professionals, and academicians, we must not only share knowledge but also act as partners in understanding, preventing, and reducing the threats posed by problem gambling”, he stated according to a release, emphasizing the need for unity among various sectors.
The conference theme, “Empowering Pathways: Problem Gambling and Gaming Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery,” resonates with PAGCOR’s initiatives aimed at promoting responsible gaming.
Tengco reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to minimizing gambling-related harm through several key policies, including the automatic exclusion of minors, students, and active government employees from gaming venues.
He also highlighted PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Program, which allows for self-exclusion or family-initiated exclusion from gaming activities, regulation of gaming advertisements, and partnerships with rehabilitation centers to support affected individuals and families.
“Gaming has inherent social risks, but with the right safeguards and collaboration among all sectors, we can ensure the safety and well-being of our players”, Tengco concluded, calling for a collective effort to tackle gambling addiction.
