PHFUN Responsible Play: Limits, Exclusion and Help
Responsible play PHFUN means setting your limits before the first spin, not after a bad night. Gambling is open to adults aged 21 and over, and it works best as paid entertainment with a cost you have already decided you can afford. This page gives you the habits that keep it that way, then the exact routes PAGCOR prints if you want to step away.
Responsible play PHFUN: four habits before you log in
PAGCOR’s responsible gaming reminders are short, and they are worth writing on a note beside your phone. Apply them in this order.
- Gambling is not a source of income. Treat every peso you stake as spent on entertainment.
- Set a time limit for each session. Decide the length before you start, for example 30 minutes, and stop when the clock says so.
- Never borrow money or use all of your resources. Play only with money set aside for fun.
- Do not chase your losses. A bigger stake after a loss is the fastest way to a bigger loss.
Warning signs that play has stopped being fun
PAGCOR lists warning signs of problem gambling. If two or more of these sound familiar, treat that as your cue to pause.
| Sign | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Spending more than planned | You stake beyond the amount you set |
| Playing longer than planned | A 30-minute session turns into hours |
| Chasing | You keep trying to win back what you lost |
| Money trouble | Debt, missed bills, borrowing or selling belongings |
| Life impact | Constant thoughts about gambling, strained family ties, anxiety or hopelessness |
Who may not gamble
PAGCOR states who is prohibited from gambling: persons under 21 years of age, all government officials and employees, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, Gaming Employment License holders, and persons listed in the National Database of Restricted Persons. If you are on that list, do not register anywhere. Everyone else should still take the age rule seriously, and 21 is the floor for this site.
PAGCOR self exclusion: the Online Self-Exclusion portal
PAGCOR self exclusion is handled through PAGCOR’s Online Self-Exclusion Application Portal at www.osea.pagcor.ph. Use it when limits are not enough and you want to be kept away from gambling altogether. Read the terms on the portal itself before you apply, because the length and effect of an exclusion are set by PAGCOR, not by this site.
Family exclusion
Spouses, children or parents of someone struggling with problem gambling can apply to have that person excluded. PAGCOR provides an application form on its responsible gaming page, and the completed form and requirements are emailed to the address printed there. The current form is on PAGCOR’s page linked at the end of this article.
NDRP PAGCOR: what the restricted persons database is
The NDRP is the National Database of Restricted Persons, and NDRP PAGCOR listings are the reason some people are barred from gambling. PAGCOR names persons listed in it among those prohibited from gambling. To understand how a listing applies to you, read PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, which PAGCOR publishes on its responsible gaming page.
Where to get help now
PAGCOR prints these accredited help centres. Use the contact details exactly as PAGCOR shows them.
| Centre | Contact printed by PAGCOR |
|---|---|
| Gamblers Anonymous Philippines | Mobile 0915 938 2808, www.gaphilippines.com |
| National Problem Gambling (NPGH) | Mobile 0919 170 0788, landline (02) 8248 9568, www.npgh.ph |
| Bridges of Hope Drugs and Alcohol Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. | Mobile 0917 509 8826, www.bridgesofhope.com.ph |
| Gam-Anon Philippines | www.gam-anonphilippines.org |
| Seagull’s Flock | www.seagullsflock.org |
The full list, with addresses and more centres, is at https://www.pagcor.ph/regulatory/responsible-gaming.php. For anything about your account, use Customer Service in the PHFUN lobby, and see the contact route for account help.