Chairman Tengco: ‘PAGCOR is for stricter regulation and not for a total ban’
Chairman and Chief Executive of the Philippine regulator PAGCOR, Alejandro Tengco, has roundly rejected calls for e-gaming to be banned in the Philippines, warning that it “would cost the government billions in revenues and eliminate 1000s of jobs”.
Speaking at a Light & Wonder event ahead of tomorrow’s IAG Expo in Manila, Tengco reflected on the rapid growth of e-gaming over the past three years, attributing it to both changing consumer habits since the pandemic and “decisive reforms” by the regulator.
“PAGCOR is for stricter regulation and not for a total ban,” he said. “A ban would cost government billions in revenues, eliminate 1000s of jobs and leave consumers defenseless against illegal operations.
“The reality is clear, ladies and gentlemen, technology and internet access can never be rolled back. Our best safeguard is to provide regulated legal alternatives for those who want to play online.”
Tengo accepted that the “significant economic benefits” offered by a booming online gaming industry needed to be offset by careful regulation. “We must never lose sight of our foremost obligation,” he said. “It is protecting our people. We at PAGCOR are the first to recognize that revenues can never outweigh the risk of problem gambling and its social cost. Today is a pivotal role, and pivotal time for all of us.”
He pledged to work alongside industry partners to reassure policy makers that online gaming can contribute to growth while ensuring public welfare.
“PAGCOR is also committed to aligning with international standards, we are completing the separation of our regulatory and operating functions, ensuring that PAGCOR becomes a pure regulator,” he added. “This is good governance, reducing conflicts of interest, and strengthening investor confidence.”
Philippine global gaming revenue hit PHP215 billion (US$3.79 billion)1 PHP = 0.0176 USD
2025-09-08Powered by CMG CurrenShift in the first half of this year. Over half of that income (53.5%) was attributable to e-gaming.
PAGCOR’s total income over the same period reached PHP59 billion (US$1.04 billion)1 PHP = 0.0176 USD
2025-09-08Powered by CMG CurrenShift, with the e-games sector contributing PHP35.5 billion (US$626 million)1 PHP = 0.0176 USD
2025-09-08Powered by CMG CurrenShift, or 60% of the total, and surpassing the contribution of land-based gaming for the first time.
“I want to emphasis too that these gains underscore the vast potential of the online gaming sector,” Tengco said. “The shift from land-based to digital gaming, which was accelerated by the pandemic, continues to reshape consumer behavior.”
The last few months have seen numerous calls for a strict ban on online gaming in the Philippines, following the banning of POGOs.
Last week, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Pablo David, strongly criticized the regulator for backing online gambling.
Meanwhile, policy makers are assessing the industry, with a total prohibition among the options being considered. Senator Erwin Tulfo urged regulators and broadcasters last week to enhance scrutiny of gambling advertisements.
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