A promotion inside TROPICAL HUT HAMBURGER has drawn scrutiny after Peanut Gallery Media Network Anchor Mervin Kei Chua Oliveros raised concerns in a Facebook post that a burger meal offer was being used to drive online gambling sign-ups.
Oliveros, who dined at the restaurant’s BGC branch, said customers who ordered a “GameZone” combo meal would be approached by a representative and offered a ₱100 gift certificate in exchange for registering on the gambling platform.
“Gambling should never be allowed to be embedded in our normal routine,” Oliveros wrote, tagging regulators and lawmakers including the PAGCOR and Sen. Erwin Tulfo.
According to Tropical Hut, the GameZone Meal is an exclusive offer available only at select branches, including BGC, Buendia, Cubao Romulo, Farmers Plaza, Escolta, Congressional, Pasig, Monumento, MDC 100 and Commonwealth.
The development comes even as PAGCOR is supposedly tightening rules on gambling operations and advertising amid the growth of digital play. Chairman Alejandro Tengco earlier said safeguards now include delinking e-wallets and certain payment channels to improve traceability and curb illicit financial activity.
Advertising controls have been tightened, with PAGCOR ordering the removal of gambling-related outdoor ads and requiring replacements to promote responsible gaming with prior approval, while gambling ads are already banned during primetime television and radio hours and under review for wider restrictions.
The incident has placed focus on how gambling-related promotions may reach the public through direct engagement, as accessible as food.
