Code of Practice
Pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1869 as amended by Republic Act No. 9487, PAGCOR operates,
grants authority to operate and regulates gaming establishments in the Philippines. In doing
so, it promotes delivery of gaming services in a responsible manner. This Code of Practice
sets out rules and guidelines on Responsible Gaming for adoption by all PAGCOR-operated and
licensed entities in authorized gaming establishments, in order to minimize potential harm to
the individual players and the community, to prevent gambling addiction and to prohibit
underage gambling.
Foreword
Gaming or Gambling is commonly used to refer to activities which involve wagering, odds and
prize. While it is considered an enjoyable form of entertainment, gaming can have negative
impact to the player and his family and community when done in excess.
PAGCOR, the Philippine government arm that regulates authorized gaming establishments around
the country, expects gaming services provided by its Licensees to be delivered in a
responsible manner. This Code of Practice sets out rules and guidelines on Responsible Gaming
that will be adopted by all PAGCOR-operated and licensed entities in authorized gaming
establishments, in order to minimize potential harm to the individual players and the
community, to prevent gambling addiction and to prohibit underage gambling.
Definition of Terms
- Billboard - a panel for the display of advertisements in public places, such
as alongside highways or on the sides of buildings.
- Financier/Loan Shark - a moneylender who charges extremely high rates of interest,
typically under illegal conditions.
- Gaming - means playing games of chance in casinos and gambling establishments
and any variations thereof.
- Gaming Employment License (GEL) - an authorization issued by PAGCOR granting
a person the privilege to be employed as a gaming employee within the Philippine jurisdiction.
- Licensee - the entity to which a Provisional License or Gaming License was issued
by PAGCOR as the case may be.
- National Database of Restricted Persons (NDRP) - a list of names with their
personal information compiled and updated by PAGCOR who are prohibited from entering and from
playing in specific PAGCOR-authorized gaming premises in the Philippines.
- Operator - a legal entity contracted by the Licensee to manage and conduct gaming
activities in specific properties - may be PAGCOR or the Licensee itself.
- Personal Disclosure Statement (PDS) - personal and financial information certified
true by the members of the Board of directors of PAGCOR-authorized gaming entities.
- PDS Database - a compilation of personal information as provided by the nominees
of the Board of Directors of PAGCOR-licensees.
- Problem Gambler - an individual affected by gambling to the point of no longer
having normal control or rational judgment, leading to problems in other areas of the gambler’s
life.
- Problem Gambling - an urge to continuously gamble despite harmful negative consequences
or a desire to stop. It is often defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others,
rather than by the gambler's behavior. - a gambling behavior which causes disruptions in any
major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational. The term "Problem Gambling"
includes, but is not limited to, the condition known as "Pathological", or "Compulsive" Gambling,
a progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet
more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, "chasing" losses,
and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting,
serious, negative consequences.
LIMITED ACCESS
- Pursuant to Presidential Decree 1869 (PAGCOR Charter) as amended by Republic Act 9487 and
Malacañang Memorandum Circular No. 6 Series of 2016, the following persons are not allowed
to enter, stay and/or play:
- Government officials connected directly with the operation of the Government or any of
its agencies.
- Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including the Army, Navy, Air Force or
the Philippine National Police;
- Persons under 21 years of age or student at any school, college, or university in the
Philippines.
- Persons included in the National Database of Restricted Persons
- Employees of Licensees (GEL Holders) In order to maintain the integrity of the conduct of
gaming, eliminate the possibility of problematic compulsive gambling among employees, avoid
the possibility of heavily indebted employees due to gaming activities to engage in
potential acts of dishonesty, theft, fraud and/or collusion of employees with players and/or
other employees and prevent appearance of impropriety, all employees holding Gaming
Employment License (GEL) are prohibited from playing in any gaming establishment in the
Philippines.
- Playing in open and public places is strictly prohibited.
Player Exclusion
This program is implemented to provide patrons who feel that relatives or they themselves are
developing a problem with gambling with the option of barring them from all gaming venues or
sites.
Please contact Customer Service to request for exclusion.
HELP CENTERS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Listed hereunder are some Help Centers located around the Philippines:
- Life Change Recovery Center
105 Scout Rallos St., Kamuning, Barangay
Sacred Heart, Quezon City
Contact: (02) 415-7964 / 415-6529 - Bridges of Hope Drugs and alcohol Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc.
Paranaque City Branch: 364 Aguirre Ave., Phase 3, BF Homes, Parañaque City
Contact:
(02) 622-0193 / 0917-5098826
Quezon City Branch: 12 Orestes Lane, Mariposa St., New
Manila, Quezon City
Tel. No. (02) 502-0600
Mobile: 0917-8560623
Email:
[email protected]
Website: www.bridgesofhope.com.ph
Keep it Fun. Game Responsibly.