(AsiaGameHub) –   The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has bolstered the nation’s gambling integrity through a new memorandum of agreement with the government’s Department of Justice (DOJ).

DOJ personnel will now be included on PAGCOR’s roster of individuals prohibited from entering casinos, marking the first such accord between the government agency and the state gaming regulatory body, as reported by the state-run Philippine News Agency.

Out of an estimated 4.5 million government officials and employees, 600,000 are currently on the list of restricted individuals. PAGCOR Chair and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro Tengco formalized the agreement alongside Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida.

Vida commented: “The presence of government officials and employees in gaming establishments, in contravention of existing laws and regulations, erodes the ethical standards we are committed to upholding.”

Presidential Decree 1869 prohibits government officials and employees from engaging in gambling. The DOJ comprises approximately 60,000 employees across its central offices and affiliated agencies.

PAGCOR has invalidated PHP310 million in winnings after verifying the identities and eligibility of players in regulated gaming venues, including Casino Filipino.

Vida stated: “This data-sharing initiative is both opportune and essential. By facilitating a more efficient and accurate identification system, we enhance enforcement capabilities and ensure that policies are not merely documented but effectively implemented.

“It enables PAGCOR to better manage access to gaming revenues and empowers the DOJ to enforce discipline within its ranks.”

PAGCOR recently granted accreditation to Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) for iGaming testing and certification, preceding the mandate for industry suppliers to secure official accreditation to offer their products to operators nationwide, with a deadline of March 31.

Upon announcing the agreement with GLI, Tengco underscored the necessity of a robustly regulated market to foster a ‘safer and more sustainable gaming industry for all participants’.

He further elaborated: “Regulated gaming markets ensure a safer and more sustainable gaming industry for everyone to engage in. A regulated market facilitates adherence to responsible gaming standards and the generation of tax revenue for community reinvestment.”

As the Philippine market continues its development under Tengco’s leadership, addressing the grey market has been identified as crucial for the sustained stability and growth of the gaming sector.

Keith McDonnell, Director of the KMI Group, recently shared with iGaming Expert: “I have been involved with the Philippines market since 2008, and since then, it has consistently been a hub for gaming in Southeast Asia. Regulations and the landscape have evolved.”

Reflecting on the tightening regulations, he added: “Recent measures are intended to reinforce its long-standing position as a regional hub and ensure longevity, which would be more challenging under an unregulated framework, given the international obstacles that would entail.”