Panagbenga gambling float sparks policy review

BAGUIO CITY — City officials are reviewing whether gambling-related brands should appear in public festivals after a gaming-themed parade float during the Panagbenga Festival triggered concerns about the visibility of gambling in civic celebrations.

The issue surfaced during a March 11 committee meeting of the Baguio City Council, where community leaders urged policymakers to prioritize preventive measures limiting gambling promotion in events attended by families and young people.

Rev. Rodolfo De Guia, co-chairperson of the Baguio Character Council, said the city’s identity as a “Character City” should guide decisions on whether gambling brands should be visible in parades, festivals and other civic gatherings.

“We have seen fliers and collapsible fans advertising bingo being distributed,” De Guia said, noting that promotional materials circulating during public events can create the impression that the city endorses gambling.

The concern intensified after a float promoting the BingoPlus gaming platform, operated by AB Leisure Exponent Inc., appeared in the Panagbenga Grand Parade and distributed branded merchandise to spectators.

According to organizers, the float featured a treasure-hunt themed display set in a colorful garden environment designed to highlight fun and entertainment, with mascots representing energy, joy and celebration.

But De Guia said the presence of gaming promotions in widely attended civic events risks blurring the line between regulated gambling operations and active marketing.

“It is similar to saying that we are approving of this because people are walking down Session Road with hats and fans that say ‘bingo,’” he said.

The meeting was chaired by Councilor Paolo Raynor Salvosa, with Councilors Jose Molintas and Elmer Datuin also attending as the council studied proposed measures addressing gambling-related advertising in public spaces.

Representatives from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) told the committee that electronic bingo and similar gaming platforms operate under responsible gaming safeguards designed to monitor player behavior.

Under current rules, players must declare their monthly income before participating in electronic gaming platforms to help ensure betting remains within a reasonable share of their financial capacity.

Operators are also required to track betting patterns through electronic records that can flag unusual or risky behavior, which regulators say enables earlier detection of problem gambling or potential fraud.

Still, council members and community representatives said regulatory safeguards alone may not address concerns about gambling visibility in everyday public life.

In recent weeks, residents have raised concerns on social media over the presence of gambling promotions in civic and cultural events.

During the meeting, Datuin and PAGCOR officials discussed drafting clearer guidelines on whether and how gambling-related companies may participate in city-organized events, including limits on brand visibility during parades and festivals.

Participants in the meeting said that while gambling remains a regulated activity nationwide, the city is not required to give it prominent exposure during public celebrations.

For the Character Council and allied groups from academic and religious communities, De Guia said the policy direction should emphasize prevention.

“Protecting values and families means acting early,” he said, adding that gambling should not be glamorized in community events designed for public celebration.

The city council continues to study measures that could reinforce national gaming regulations while imposing stricter local limits on gambling promotions in public spaces.