DigiPlus touts edge in responsible gaming
Amid the furor over online gambling, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. said it was ahead of the game in terms of practices that protect players from the negative effects of such activities.
DigiPlus chair Eusebio Tanco said the company behind the platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and Gamezone was the first among domestic firms to embed “self-exclusion” options directly into their mobile apps.
Tanco said in a briefing last Friday that this option was available not just by simply logging out of the app, but through “real customizable” controls.
“Players can set their own time limit, define gaming schedules [and] apply loss caps. And all these happen with a few taps—no need to call a hotline or submit a form,” he said.
“We back that up with robust KYC [know your customer] and advanced age-screening, and we cross-check against Pagcor’s national database of restricted persons,” Tanco said.
“We also launched a financial coaching series led by psychologists and certified coaches, teaching players how to budget for entertainment and walk away when needed,” he added.
Amid efforts in Congress to pass laws for tighter regulation of online gambling and talks about an outright ban, DigiPlus’ share price has taken a beating.
DigiPlus shares fell to as low as P19.54 apiece last July 17. This was a 70-percent drop from the 52-week high of P65.30 per share recorded on June 11.
Further, Tanco said they launched their “Pusta de Peligro” campaign. It involves a short film series that he said had gone viral. The initiative challenges viewers to recognize “when a bet becomes a problem.”
Tanco also said they took a different approach even with their brand ambassadors.
“More than just getting celebrities, we chose our own players. Champions from our own tournaments now serve as peer models spreading the message from within the community,” he said.
“So you see, we don’t want our players to simply play. We do it with balance, with mindfulness and with control,” he added.
Meanwhile, a rapid surge in the use of software that blocks gambling activities in devices is expected in the Philippines “as more individuals seek help” amid a rising problem in online gambling.
This is according to software firm Gamban Ltd., itself a provider of gambling-blocking solutions.
The United Kingdom-based company said the problem of online gambling addiction in the Philippines was rising along with industry revenues.
Thus, Gamban “is seeing a dramatic increase in demand for its services,” in particular a “400-percent spike in website traffic from the Philippines, as more individuals seek help.”
Also, Gamban anticipates an increase of more than 450 percent in registrations for its blocking tools as well as a “900-percent year-on-year surge in daily installs in the Philippines.”
The company, however, did not provide base figures.
“This data points to a growing public health concern—one that’s being accelerated by the rise of frictionless online betting and e-wallet platforms,” the company said.
In 2022, the central bank ordered e-wallet companies to remove from platforms links to electronic “sabong” or e-sabong. That is, the regulator wanted to remove easy access to e-sabong sites.
In another report dated December 2020, UK-based Vita CA Ltd. said people found gambling highly addictive, especially online slots and casino games, via mobile phones.
Subjects of a study, which was the basis of the report, “felt gambling companies and marketing encouraged their addiction and exploited their vulnerabilities,” Vita CA said.
Findings also show that gambling caused harm to relationships, finances, employment, and health.
