The Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR has been commended by the Department of Finance (DOF) for its substantial contribution to the country’s fiscal revenues.
The DOF reported that in 2024, the National Treasury received PHP12.7 billion ($220 million) in dividends from PAGCOR.
According to the latest figures, PAGCOR ranked third among all Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) in total budget contributions, behind Landbank of the Philippines (PHP33.5 billion / $580 million) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (PHP18.9 billion / $330 million).
“As a government corporation, we take pride in being a reliable partner of the Department of Finance in strengthening the country’s fiscal stability and supporting programs that improve citizens’ quality of life and promote sustainable growth,” said PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco.
In early 2025, PAGCOR reported PHP59 billion ($1.03 billion) in net income, driven by gross gaming revenues (GGR) of PHP214.8 billion ($3.74 billion) for the first half of the year — a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Electronic gaming — including E-Games, E-Bingo, and Bingo — accounted for PHP114.83 billion ($2.0 billion), or 53.47% of total GGR.
As a result, PAGCOR’s contributions to national development rose to PHP38.1 billion ($663 million), marking a 20% year-on-year increase.
“Our first-half performance reaffirms PAGCOR’s role as a key government partner. We remain focused on strengthening our regulatory framework to ensure that revenues from licensed gaming continue to serve the public good,” Tengco emphasized.
Online Gaming Remains Under Pressure
The future of the Philippines’ regulated online gaming sector remains uncertain as senators debate several bills aimed at tightening restrictions — or, in the case of the Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025, banning the industry altogether.
Against this backdrop, Tengco has publicly defended the legal market, highlighting the economic importance of regulated gambling to the nation.
He also warned that a total ban would drive players toward the already significant black market.
“PAGCOR remains committed to strengthening regulation and enforcement to ensure that only legitimate and properly monitored operators are allowed to operate,” Tengco stated at a Light & Wonder symposium.
“Illegal sites not only deprive the government of much-needed revenues but also expose Filipino players to numerous risks.”
In early October, Philippine authorities launched a large-scale crackdown on illegal online gambling.
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) identified over 1,000 unlicensed gambling websites, while Digital Pinoy, a civil society group, reported 627 gambling-related URLs flagged by partner organizations.
Recognizing the scale of the problem, PAGCOR allocated PHP50 million ($870,000) to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to strengthen efforts against black-market operators.
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