The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has expressed support for stricter regulation in the country but opposed a ban on online gaming.
In an interview with DZMM radio, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco stated that “regulation is the key” to strengthening the Philippine gaming market.
“PAGCOR’s current position is not a total ban, but tighter regulation,” he said.
Tengco backed proposals by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, which include banning the use of e-wallets for online betting deposits, setting a minimum player age of 21, and requiring a minimum deposit of PHP 10,000 (approximately £129) to discourage participation by low-income players.
However, on July 4, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri introduced a stricter bill titled the “Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025,” which seeks to impose a complete ban on online gambling.
“As long as gambling is accessible online to almost everyone, this is a social cancer that will continue to grow,” Zubiri said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not ruled out the possibility of tax increases in the gambling sector, following a proposal from the Department of Finance to introduce a new tax rate.
In his DZMM interview, Tengco highlighted the economic importance of the gaming industry, stating that in 2024, license fees alone generated PHP 50 billion (approximately £649.9 million) for the sector.
In Q1 2024, PAGCOR reported revenue of PHP 28.07 billion, most of which came from gaming operations – primarily electronic games and e-bingo.
Despite this success, Tengco warned about the threat from the black market, noting that only 45–50% of the market is currently regulated.
PAGCOR has previously issued warnings about operators using fake offshore licenses. Last month, the Philippine government announced it had shut down 7,000 unlicensed gambling websites.
Although Tengco speaks on behalf of PAGCOR, his position as head of the organization remains uncertain. In May, he and the PAGCOR board submitted their resignations following a directive from President Marcos, who demanded the resignation of all heads of government agencies and officials of secretary rank after poor midterm election results for his preferred senatorial candidates.
Despite the resignation request, a government notice instructed affected officials to continue performing their duties until the President’s office issues an official decision.
Elsewhere in Asia, Thailand’s integrated casino resort bill was shelved following political turmoil sparked by a leaked phone call in which Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra criticized the Thai army’s actions in a border dispute with Cambodia. On July 8, Thailand’s cabinet withdrew the draft law, citing the need for more time to engage with the public.
Meanwhile, Macau may also be set to revise its gambling legislation, particularly its advertising policies, to adapt to the demands of the digital era. The new regulations aim to ban marketing materials that contain calls to action in the gambling sector or encourage consumers to participate in gambling activities. These changes are part of a broader review of advertising legislation initiated by Yau Yun Wah, Director of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau.
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