PAGCOR Boosts Government Revenues Amid Online Gaming Debate

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has earned praise from the Department of Finance (DOF) for its substantial financial support to the government. In 2024, the National Treasury received PHP12.7 billion (£163.2m) in dividends from PAGCOR, ranking it as the third-highest contributor among Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), trailing only Landbank of the Philippines (PHP33.5bn) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (PHP18.9bn).

“As a GOCC, we take pride in partnering with the DOF to reinforce the nation’s fiscal stability while funding programs that enhance lives and promote growth,” said PAGCOR Chair and CEO Alejandro Tengco.

PAGCOR reported earnings of PHP59 billion (£765.2m) in the first half of 2025, driven by gross gaming revenues (GGR) of PHP214.8 billion, a 14% rise compared to the same period in 2024. Electronic games, including E-Games, E-Bingo and Bingo grantees, accounted for PHP114.83 billion, or 53.47% of the total GGR. Consequently, PAGCOR’s contributions to public programs rose 20% year-on-year to PHP38.1 billion.

“Our first-half results reinforce PAGCOR’s role as a vital government partner. Strengthening regulatory frameworks ensures gaming revenues continue to support public welfare,” Tengco added.

Regulated Online Gaming Faces Uncertainty

Despite these strong contributions, the future of the Philippines’ regulated online gaming market remains uncertain. Legislators are reviewing bills proposing stricter rules or, in the case of the Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025, a complete ban on the sector.

Tengco has publicly defended the regulated market, highlighting its economic benefits and warning that an outright ban would drive players toward the country’s sizable black market. “PAGCOR is committed to ensuring only legitimate, properly monitored operators are allowed to operate. This protects both the government’s revenues and Filipino players,” he said at a Light and Wonder-hosted symposium.

Crackdown on Illegal Operators

Authorities have recently intensified efforts against unlicensed online gambling. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) identified over 1,000 unlicensed gambling websites, while civil society partner Digital Pinoy reported an additional 627 URLs flagged by partner organizations.

Recognizing the scale of the illegal market, PAGCOR has committed PHP50 million to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to support enforcement actions, emphasizing the regulator’s proactive approach to curbing unregulated gambling.

PAGCOR’s continued financial contributions, coupled with strict oversight of the regulated sector, underscore its dual role as both a revenue generator for the government and a protector of public interest in Philippine gaming.