PAGCOR chief pushes for stricter regulation, not online gaming ban

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco on Monday, September 8, pushed for stricter regulations for online gaming instead of an outright ban, saying that prohibition would only encourage illegal operations and deprive the government of needed revenues.

Speaking before industry stakeholders at the Light & Wonder iGaming Symposium at Newport World Resorts in Pasay City, Mr. Tengco said reforms implemented by PAGCOR — including reductions in license fee rates — has spurred robust growth in the electronic gaming sector.

From Php58.16 billion in 2023, gross gaming revenues (GGR) from Electronic Games climbed to Php154.51 billion in 2024 which accounted for nearly half of the industry’s Php372.33 billion GGR.

In the first half of 2025 alone, the sector contributed Php114.83 billion, surpassing revenues from land-based operations and boosting PAGCOR’s total revenues to Php59 billion.

“The iGaming story in the Philippines is no longer just about growth; it’s about how we grow — safely, fairly, and sustainably,” Mr. Tengco said. “We support stricter regulations to protect our people, but we are against a total ban which will only drive players to illegal operators and result in loss of revenues and jobs.”

Mr. Tengco also emphasized PAGCOR’s ongoing reforms, including the separation of regulatory and operational functions, stronger responsible gaming safeguards, stricter advertising standards, the upcoming launch of a 24/7 helpline, and the adoption of digital tools such as the PAGCOR Guarantee portal and AI-driven monitoring systems.

He also called on industry players to practice “compliance by design” in their operations, strictly follow anti-money laundering regulations, strengthen their KYC (Know Your Customer) guidelines, and fully support PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming initiatives.

“With responsible growth, compliance, and transparency, the Philippines can develop a safer, stronger, and globally competitive iGaming industry,” he added.

Mr. Tengco also expressed gratitude to Light & Wonder for organizing the event, highlighting its role as a key partner in strengthening the country’s gaming sector.

Light & Wonder, a global leader in cross-platform gaming, provides content, systems, and solutions for casino, online, and social gaming operators worldwide. Its innovations have supported PAGCOR in broadening product offerings and keeping the Philippine gaming industry competitive in the rapidly evolving iGaming market.