Responsible Gaming in the Philippines: Safety Recommendations

We are certain that practising responsible gaming is crucial. Betting is not about making a profit. It is about entertainment. Match.Center tries to help players to recognise harmful habits and find assistance when needed. This article offers you tips and tools to play safer in the Philippines.

Why We Support Responsible Gaming

Gambling addiction can seriously influence people and their loved ones. Risks are part of betting, but you can manage them with the right approach. We ensure that responsible gaming measures are in place for every player. Here’s why:

Financial Issues. Accumulating debts is a common struggle for problematic gamblers. For instance, one individual mentioned being millions of pesos in debt, despite earning a decent salary.
Work Problems. Addiction can lead to job loss as a result of reduced performance due to psychological tension.
Prevalence in the Philippines. The TGM Research survey indicated 38,9% of people in the Philippines bet on sports in the past 12 months, 41,5% participate in lottery/games of chance (e.g. Powerball, bingo), 23% of Filipinos join sporting event bets placed among friends (e.g. football, horse racing).
Family Conflicts. Problem gaming often leads to home issues. That is why the family exclusion system exists in the country.

Rules for Responsible Gaming

The Philippines takes responsible playing seriously, influenced by unique regulations and regional differences. PAGCOR, the main regulatory body, implements programs like self-exclusion and public awareness campaigns. Licensed sites must offer fair play and undergo audits for compliance. Operators have their tools for safer gaming but players must also take steps to manage their habits:

Set time and financial limits for play and stick to them.
Expect to lose; the odds are against you, and losing is part of the game.
Do not gamble on credit or borrow money to place a bet.
Be in good physical and mental shape when playing.
Try to keep a balance in your life; don’t prioritise gambling over family, work, friends, or hobbies.
Ensure you’re playing for fun.

Where to Get Help

Seeking help is the first step back. If you have recognised some of the signs from the list above, here are some Philippine organisations that will be able to help:

Gambler Anonymous Pilipinas (GA). What is a GA? A self-help group based upon the 12-step recovery program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous. Addicts seeking recovery can attend regular meetings and receive peer support.
In Touch Community. Offers counselling for gaming problems among other mental health services. Contact their helpline in an immediate crisis for advice and intervention.
Manila Lifeline Centre. Counselling and crisis intervention for people with gambling-related problems. They have a 24/7 crisis helpline service for emergency services. Hotline: (02) 8969191; Mobile phone: 0917 854 9191.
PAGCOR. The regulator offers self-exclusion programmes that empower people to ban themselves or their relatives from betting houses. Additionally, PAGCOR conducts campaigns about the dangers of play.

Responsible Gaming Tools

Start by reflecting on your habits. Ask yourself if you’re borrowing money to bet or spending more than you can afford. Are you frustrated when you can’t gamble or lose more than usual? Do you chase losses or gamble to escape personal problems? If you answer yes to these questions, it’s time to act. Here are some self-help steps to regain control and prevent bigger issues:

Block gambling payments on bank cards. You can prevent yourself from spending impulsively and keep your finances in order. Address your bank to implement blocks.
Block ads on your devices. Reducing exposure to bookmakers and casino ads helps minimise temptations to gamble.
Use self-exclusion to limit access. Self-exclusion can prevent you from accessing gambling sites during vulnerable moments.
Limit your betting time. This will prevent gaming from taking over your daily life.

Why to Prohibit Underage Gambling

Gambling is dangerous for minors due to their fragile psyche. Adolescents easily succumb to compulsive behaviour and often don’t understand the consequences. An occasional big win can create unrealistic expectations and lead to major losses. Lacking their own money, they may resort to stealing. Teenagers find it difficult to control their behaviour and to stop when necessary. Even many adults struggle with this. Therefore, responsible gaming suggests it should be kept away from minors.

Tips to keep kids away from gambling:

Explain to minors that gaming is not a way to get rich, but just paid entertainment.
Use parental controls on children’s devices to block access to betting sites.