Responsible Gaming
at apalado

1 Our Commitment to Responsible Gaming

apalado is a Philippine-licensed online gaming platform, and responsible gaming is not just a regulatory checkbox for us — it is a core part of how we operate. Every feature we build, every promotion we run, and every policy we set is evaluated through the lens of player wellbeing. We believe that sustainable, enjoyable gaming starts with informed, in-control players.

We operate under a regulatory framework overseen by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which sets binding standards for responsible gaming practices across all licensed online gaming operators in the Philippines. apalado meets and, in several areas, exceeds those minimum standards.

Our responsible gaming framework covers four main areas: prevention (stopping at-risk behaviour before it escalates), protection (giving players the tools to manage their own play), support (connecting players to help when they need it), and enforcement (ensuring our platform does not knowingly serve at-risk or excluded individuals).

2 The 21+ Age Policy at apalado

How We Verify Age

apalado uses a multi-layer age verification process:

• Date of birth declaration — required at registration and cross-checked against the account holder's KYC documents;
• Government ID verification (KYC) — all players must submit a valid Philippine government-issued ID (National ID, UMID, passport, driver's licence, voter's ID, PRC ID, SSS/GSIS ID) confirming they are 21 or older before withdrawals are enabled;
• Payment method validation — GCash, Maya, and bank accounts registered in the Philippines require account holders to be adults, providing an additional layer of verification;
• Ongoing monitoring — our responsible gaming team monitors accounts for behavioural signals that may indicate an underage user and may request additional verification at any time.

If apalado discovers that a player is under 21, the account will be immediately suspended, all funds will be returned (net of any losses from wagering), and the matter will be referred to PAGCOR as required by our licence conditions.

3 Recognising Problem Gambling Warning Signs

Problem gambling can affect anyone — regardless of age, income, or location. Whether you are playing from Manila, Cebu, Davao, or Quezon City, the warning signs are the same. apalado encourages all players to check in with themselves regularly. Ask yourself honestly: do any of the following statements apply to you?

4 Player Protection Tools

Every apalado account comes with a full suite of responsible gaming tools available directly from your account dashboard. These tools are free, effective immediately, and do not require approval from our support team — you are in control.

Deposit Limits

Set a maximum amount you can deposit into your apalado account per day, per week, or per month. Once a limit is set, it takes effect immediately. Increasing a deposit limit requires a 48-hour cooling-off period before it activates — this is intentional, to prevent impulsive decisions. Decreasing a limit takes effect straight away with no delay.

Session Time Reminders

Set a reminder alert that notifies you when you have been playing continuously for a set duration (e.g., 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours). The reminder will pause your session briefly and prompt you to decide whether you want to continue. Think of it as a friendly "kumusta ka?" check-in from apalado.

Loss Limits

Set a maximum amount you are comfortable losing over a defined period. Once your loss limit is reached for that period, apalado will prevent further wagering until the period resets. Like deposit limits, reductions take effect immediately while increases require a 48-hour cooling-off period.

Reality Checks

Enable pop-up reality checks at regular intervals during your gaming sessions. These display your net win/loss for the session and the total time you have been playing, helping you make an informed decision about whether to continue or take a break.

Cooling-Off Period

If you feel you need a short break from gambling, you can activate a cooling-off period of 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days, or 30 days. During a cooling-off period, your account remains open but wagering is disabled. The cooling-off period cannot be reversed once activated.

Account Closure

You may request permanent account closure at any time by contacting our support team via live chat or email. Upon closure, your account cannot be reopened, and any remaining balance will be returned to your registered GCash, Maya, or bank account after identity verification.

How to Activate Self-Exclusion

6 Protecting Vulnerable Players and Minors

Protecting Minors in Your Household

If you live with children or young adults under 21, apalado strongly recommends taking these precautions to prevent accidental or deliberate access to your gaming account:

• Never save your apalado login credentials on shared devices or browsers;
• Always log out of your apalado account when you are finished playing, especially on shared computers or mobile phones;
• Use a strong, unique password for your apalado account — not one that family members might know;
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account for an extra layer of security;
• Consider using parental control software on shared devices if minors are present in your home.

Supporting a Loved One with a Gambling Problem

If you are concerned about a family member or close friend's gambling habits, know that you are not alone. Problem gambling affects families across the Philippines — in Manila, Cebu, Davao, and every community in between. Here are some steps that may help:

• Talk to them calmly and without judgment — expressing concern is more effective than confrontation;
• Encourage them to speak to a professional counsellor or call a support hotline (see Section 8);
• Contact apalado's support team if you believe a family member has an account with us and is showing signs of problem gambling — we can guide you on what steps are available to us under Philippine privacy law;
• Look after your own mental health too — supporting someone with problem gambling can be emotionally taxing.

7 apalado's Regulatory Obligations

As a PAGCOR-regulated online gaming operator, apalado has binding obligations with respect to responsible gaming that go beyond voluntary commitments. These include:

• Maintaining and enforcing a self-exclusion register — apalado screens new registrations against its self-exclusion list and refuses service to excluded individuals;
• Training frontline staff — all customer support agents are trained to identify signs of problem gambling, handle sensitive conversations with empathy, and escalate to specialist responsible gaming staff;
• Reporting obligations — apalado reports responsible gaming compliance data to PAGCOR on a regular basis and co-operates fully with any regulatory review or investigation;
• Advertising standards — apalado does not target vulnerable players, does not advertise to persons under 21, and does not use advertising language that trivialises problem gambling or presents gambling as a path to financial success;
• Displaying responsible gaming information — responsible gaming information, including links to this page and to support resources, is displayed prominently across the apalado platform at all times.

apalado's responsible gaming practices are reviewed at least annually and updated in line with PAGCOR guidance, NPC data privacy requirements, and international best-practice frameworks including those published by the Responsible Gambling Council and GamCare.

8 Getting Help — Support Resources in the Philippines

If you or someone you know needs help with problem gambling, the following support services are available to Filipinos. All contacts below are provided as plain reference information — please reach out to the appropriate service directly.