MANILA, Philippines –The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) imposed a P1 million fine against a gambling firm for sponsoring influencer Ivana Alawi’s giveaway of 100 iPhones back In July without seeking permission to undertake the promotion.

During the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations budget hearing for 2027, Kamanggagawa party-list Representative Elijah Fernando showed surprise and alarm at influencers and gambling firms linking up to promote each other. Fernando also called out Alawi without naming the specific gambling firm she was linked to.

In Alawi’s case, she has a brand ambassadorship with Casino Plus as previously disclosed by the online gaming platform.

Alawi bought some P4.28 million in iPhone 17 Pro Max units — 100 in all — and the promotion to give them away tasked prospective winners with following her “CP Fam” and commenting on a given post to be considered for the giveaway.

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[Tech Thoughts] Ivana Alawi, a promised iPhone, and the siren call of online gambling

Pagcor chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said, “We fined the online gaming company P1 million and, together with that, gave them a stern warning na hindi na dapat maulit ito (that it shouldn’t happen again).”

He added, “Kung maulit ito (If it occurs again), a heavier fine and the possibility that another violation can lead to the suspension and ultimately, the cancellation of their license,” a warning that those endorsements should have the blessing of the Ad Standards Council and Pagcor.

Tengco also noted that about “50% of the current operators of online gaming are illegal, meaning that we do not have any jurisdiction over them.”

When asked about enforcement against illegal gambling operators, Tengco said Pagcor coordinates with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Telecommunications Commission, and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center in filing cases against the endorsers of illegal gambling sites in a bid to take down the sites themselves.

Further, Tengco also said a number of influencers and content creators withdrew their sponsorships and endorsements when this was made known, finding legal operators to tie up with instead.

– Rappler.com

[Tech Thoughts] Ivana Alawi, a promised iPhone, and the siren call of online gambling

Pagcor imposes P1-M fine on gambling firm linked to Ivana Alawi iPhone giveaway

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