DigiPlus Interactive Corp. has appealed to legislators for a fair and rational approach in assessing the online gaming industry, stressing the need to distinguish between legal operators and illicit activities.
In a statement, DigiPlus chairman Eusebio Tanco urged lawmakers not to “condemn an entire industry” amid a spate of legislative proposals aimed at tightening controls or banning online gaming platforms altogether. “Please, do not condemn the industry, and the 50,000 Filipino families who rely on it, without hearing the facts first,” Tanco said.
The company emphasized its commitment to regulatory compliance, highlighting existing safeguards such as know-your-customer protocols, age verification, self-exclusion tools, and responsible gaming mechanisms—all implemented as early as November 2024. DigiPlus added that its operations are fully taxed, audited, and regulated under the oversight of PAGCOR and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Tanco warned that current rhetoric and proposals feel “less like regulation and more like retribution,” placing legitimate operators under the shadow of illegal gaming entities. “We are asking to be judged by our actions, not by association with those who break the law,” he said.
DigiPlus also cautioned against the broader economic fallout of sweeping sanctions, citing potential job losses across a nationwide network of over 50,000 workers in technology, customer service, and support services. The company maintained that banning licensed firms would only drive users toward unregulated, riskier platforms.
“We support better regulation and are willing to do more,” Tanco said. “But the solution is to target the illegal market, not dismantle what is already working.”
