Viber willing to work with government on gambling issue

MANILA, Philippines — Following reports that online gambling operations are shifting to other platforms, messaging application Viber yesterday said it does not host or offer features that enable online gambling directly in the platform.

While gambling advertisements are currently permitted on the application, Rakuten Viber also maintained that it does not provide or process payments for any gambling service.

It said it is working with relevant government authorities in the Philippines to align its approach regarding online gambling.

“Rakuten Viber works only with carefully selected partners to meet all local legal requirements and to ensure a safe experience for our users,” the statement read.

“Our policies allow gambling?related content only where permitted by local laws and regulations. We are engaging with the relevant authorities and will align our approach with their forthcoming guidance,” it added.

The Japanese-owned platform issued the statement after Sen. Erwin Tulfo, chairman of the Senate committee on games and amusement, said that operators are trying to shift to other platforms after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas directed e-wallets to unlink from online gambling platforms.

The senator cited an advisory from online gaming platform BingoPlus, which issued an advisory specifically identifying Viber as one of its alternative platforms to GCash and Maya.

Viber’s advertising policy allows ads that promote gambling and lotteries, including offline or online gambling, gaming or casino-based activities with real money or prizes; national, governmental or private lotteries; or sports bingo, bingo or poker.

But it stated that these are permitted “subject to Viber’s prior written approval” and the advertisers’ “compliance with all applicable international and local laws, rules, regulations or licensing requirements, including with respect to all applicable jurisdiction and age restrictions.”