Insider Spotlight
Driving the news:
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian recently filed a bill that seeks to refine the country’s online gaming framework. Key provisions include raising the minimum gaming age to 21, imposing a P10,000 minimum initial cash-in requirement, and a P5,000 minimum top-up per transaction.
DFNN, a publicly listed tech firm behind licensed gaming provider IEST, Inc., said it “acknowledge[s] and respect[s] the intent” of the measure, which aims to strengthen consumer protection.
Yes, but:
DFNN emphasized that not all gaming platforms are alike. While the legislation appears geared toward online gambling, it risks sweeping up regulated land-based outlets that already operate under strict compliance rules.
“It is equally important… to consider the operational diversity across the holistic gaming ecosystem,” the company said in its July 6 position paper. “Our gaming network… operates under close regulatory supervision and adheres to strict compliance standards.”
The company noted that face-to-face KYC protocols, national ID-grade facial recognition, and a minimum age of 21 are already enforced in its physical outlets.
What they’re saying:
“Well-intended restrictions, if not carefully calibrated across distinct gaming formats, may unintentionally create incentives for certain segments of the population… to seek alternatives from unlicensed or offshore platforms,” DFNN said.
The bottom line:
DFNN supports tighter safeguards but wants Congress to avoid blanket rules that treat physical and digital platforms the same. It warned that “grey market operations… could undermine the very protections that the legislation seeks to reinforce.”
“We believe there is a valuable opportunity to strike the right balance… while preserving the viability of well-regulated, locally embedded operators.”
— Edited by Daxim L. Lucas
