DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the operator of BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, has called on lawmakers to uphold fairness and facts as Congress debates proposals targeting the online gaming sector. 


“We are open to evolving and improving wherever needed,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio Tanco. “If there are new standards to meet or better ways to protect players, we will act swiftly and responsibly. But please, do not condemn an industry – and the 50,000 Filipino families who rely on it – without hearing the facts first.” 

Licensed and Compliant Since 2024

The company expressed concern that responsible, law-abiding operators are being caught in the same net as illegal gaming sites. DigiPlus emphasized that many proposed regulatory measures are already in place on its platforms, including strict Know-Your-Customer (KYC) protocols, mandatory age verification to bar minors and vulnerable players, self-exclusion tools, and responsible gaming prompts. These have been implemented since November 2024.

“We have always aligned our operations with PAGCOR and government regulations,” Tanco said. DigiPlus stressed that every peso flowing through its platforms is taxed, audited, and remitted to PAGCOR and the Bureau of Internal Revenue – contributing to healthcare, infrastructure, and disaster relief.

Call for Fairness, Not Retribution

Tanco warned that the current atmosphere feels more like retribution than regulation. “We stand licensed, audited, and transparent, yet we are made to answer for the crimes of illegal operators who respect neither law nor livelihood,” he noted.

DigiPlus urged a rational approach to the issue. “If we study the matter with clear eyes, we will see that the social problems blamed on online gaming come from the illegal market. That is where underage gambling and financial abuse thrive. Target that, and the harm disappears.”

Jobs and Livelihoods at Stake

A total ban on online gaming will risk more than just corporate operations. DigiPlus employs over 3,000 people directly, while the broader online gaming ecosystem sustains around 50,000 jobs nationwide, including IT professionals, software developers, multimedia artists, call center agents, security staff, and housekeeping personnel.

“In every city, in every province, our people are asking: are we no longer welcome, even when we’ve done everything right?” Tanco said.

Ban Will Drive Players to Illegal Sites

DigiPlus cautioned that banning licensed operators will not eliminate online gaming. Instead, it will drive players toward unregulated, illegal sites with no safeguards to protect them.

A Call for Fact-Based Dialogue

As discussions continue, DigiPlus appealed to lawmakers for a dialogue grounded in facts rather than fear or stigma. The company reaffirmed its commitment to compliance, cooperation with regulators, and proactive reforms to build a safer and more accountable gaming industry.

“We are not asking for special treatment,” DigiPlus said. “We are simply asking to be judged by our actions, not by perception, nor by association with those who break the law. Regulation works best when it uplifts what is working, not when it dismantles it.”