Philippines’ DOJ enforces casino ban on government employees
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has formalised a new agreement with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to strengthen the enforcement of a long-standing prohibition on government personnel entering casinos.
On Monday, both agencies signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA), marking the first time a government agency has committed to sharing a comprehensive list of its officials and employees with the national gaming regulator. The agencies said the move is designed to address gaps in enforcement and ensure stricter compliance with existing laws that already bar public servants from gambling in licensed establishments.
During the signing, Secretary of Justice Frederick Vida, emphasised the need for public servants to uphold the law in both their duties and conduct. Under Presidential Decree No. 1869, all Philippine government officials and employees are prohibited from participating in casino gaming. However, enforcement has been inconsistent, largely due to limitations in identifying individuals across a fragmented and incomplete database.
56,000 personnel added to restricted database
As part of the agreement, the DOJ will provide PAGCOR with the names, job titles and photographs of more than 56,000 personnel across its central office and attached agencies. These include the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Corrections (BOC), Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), among others.
The data will be integrated into PAGCOR’s National Database of Restricted Persons (NDRP), which is used to screen individuals entering gaming venues. The regulator is expected to utilise facial recognition systems alongside the shared profiles to identify and block access to prohibited individuals in real time.
At present, PAGCOR’s restricted database contains approximately 600,000 names, a fraction of the estimated 4.5 million government personnel nationwide. Local officials indicated that those found violating the ban could face immediate dismissal, as well as potential criminal, civil and administrative penalties. The enhanced system is intended to ensure that sanctions are enforceable and consistently applied.
Millions in voided winnings expose compliance issues
The agreement comes amid scrutiny of compliance failures in the Philippine public sector. In 2025, a Senate investigation found that several officials linked to infrastructure anomalies had incurred gambling losses in casinos, raising concerns over oversight and accountability.
PAGCOR reported that it voided more than PHP310 million ($5.1 million) in casino winnings in 2025 after determining that the claimants were prohibited government personnel.
More agencies expected to follow suit
PAGCOR confirmed that additional agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), have already expressed interest in entering similar agreements.
The government’s efforts to expand the restricted database have previously been hindered by concerns over compliance with the country’s Data Privacy Act of 2012. The regulator has assured participating agencies that all shared information will be securely handled and used exclusively for enforcement purposes. If widely adopted, the model could enhance PAGCOR’s ability to regulate access to gaming venues and uphold statutory restrictions.
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