Buenas PH Calls on Influencers to Champion Responsible Gaming and Fight Illegal Platforms

The appeal was made during a press conference for the inaugural “Battle of Streamers,” organized by next-generation iGaming broadcast platform YGS Live, where Buenas PH served as presenting partner. Executives stressed that influencers must move beyond promotional content and actively help educate audiences on the risks of unlicensed platforms.

Industry Push for Transparency and Accountability

The initiative comes amid mounting concern over a reported 76% surge in online gambling scams linked to unregulated websites. According to industry data, fraudsters have increasingly targeted vulnerable users on social media platforms, particularly Facebook, exploiting gaps in consumer awareness.

Research conducted by sociocultural firm The Fourth Wall identified a critical information deficit among players. Aggressive advertising, opaque affiliate structures, and misleading promotions on unlicensed sites have contributed to financial losses, privacy breaches, and reputational damage to the broader industry.

“The industry lost trust last year,” said Jev Mark Macam, President of 888 Luxury Legacy Corporation. “The path back is transparency, regulation, and visible safeguards.”

Buenas PH operates under the supervision of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which has intensified efforts to curb illegal gambling and strengthen compliance standards across the digital gaming ecosystem.

Influencers as Frontline Educators

Julius “Banoobs” Mariano, founder of YGS Live and an e-sports pioneer, emphasized the pivotal role content creators play in shaping public perception.

“There’s no clear line for the public between legal and unregulated, so everything gets labeled as a scam,” Mariano noted. “Influencers already exist in this space. The responsible move is to keep them on the legal side.”

In line with that strategy, Buenas PH has partnered with high-profile creators including Mark Herras, Boss Toyo, ChooxTv, Beatmaster, ForeignGerms, and Hypebits, promoting a framework that integrates responsible gaming messaging into livestream content.

Atty. Anthony “Tony” Manguiat, President of HHRPI, underscored that influencers are not instructed to encourage gambling participation but rather to provide entertainment while reinforcing safeguards and legal awareness.

“Gaming is entertainment, amusement, and recreation. We do not instruct influencers to tell people to gamble. Their role is to livestream as entertainment, with responsible gaming reminders,” Manguiat said.

The campaign aligns with PAGCOR’s ongoing mandate to address illegal gambling and mitigate addiction risks. Following last year’s enforcement drive—during which the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center flagged personalities promoting unauthorized platforms—the industry is increasingly focused on strengthening compliance partnerships.

For the Philippine iGaming market, Buenas PH’s initiative signals a coordinated effort to restore credibility, differentiate licensed operators from illegal actors, and position responsible content creation as a cornerstone of sustainable industry growth.