PAGCOR: Online Gaming fuels nation-building, but illegal sites pose risks

Online gaming has emerged as one of the government’s biggest revenue drivers this year, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said today, even as it raised alarm over unregulated sites preying on Filipino players.

In a report to the House Committee on Games and Amusements, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the licensed online gaming sector earned Php69 billion in license fees from January to July this year alone.

Of the total, Php41 billion came from electronic games (E-Games) while Php28 billion came from other online game offerings.

“Because of its huge potential, online gaming has become an important source of funds for our nation-building commitments, including PAGCOR’s support for education, health care, and community development,” Mr. Tengco said.

The PAGCOR chief added that in the first seven months of 2025, online gaming contributed Php27.47 billion to nation-building, funding corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs including Php14.72 billion for the Universal Health Care Law.

Other projects that will benefit from the robust performance of the online gaming sector are PAGCOR’s flagship CSR projects, including the construction of school buildings, socio-civic centers, wellness centers and E-Learning hubs.

“Every peso we collect from the gaming sector translates to meaningful projects such as classrooms for our children, health programs for our people, and safe spaces for communities in times of calamity. This is how we ensure that gaming directly benefits Filipinos,” Mr. Tengco said.

But he also warned of the growing threat of illegal online operators that entice players of all ages without safeguards.

“These illegal sites not only deprive the government of much-needed revenues but also expose Filipino players to numerous risks,” Mr. Tengco said.

He vowed stronger enforcement against such platforms and said that “PAGCOR is committed to strengthening regulation and enforcement to ensure that only legitimate and properly monitored operators are allowed to operate.”