The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has earned P155 billion from online gaming operations over the past four years, according to chairman Alejandro Tengco.
In a report by GMA News Online, Tengco told lawmakers during a House Committee on Appropriations briefing that revenues from online gaming surged despite the government’s ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and online sabong. The yearly breakdown showed P6 billion collected in 2021, P12.5 billion in 2022, P22 billion in 2023, P49 billion in 2024, and P37 billion so far this year.
“The growth of online gaming has been exponential, and for the first seven months of this year, PAGCOR’s income from online gaming increased by 32%,” Tengco said. He added that the agency expects revenues to reach P60 to P62 billion by the end of 2025, barring a total ban.
Tengco noted that online gaming now makes up 62% of PAGCOR’s projected P116-billion income for 2025, with the rest coming from land-based casino operations. He also revealed that PAGCOR has imposed a moratorium on new licenses for online gaming firms since March 2024, limiting the number of operators to 70.
To address concerns on problem gambling, PAGCOR has strengthened its self-exclusion program, with around 2,000 individuals requesting to be barred from betting. “If you or your family had requested for one, you will be banned for a minimum period of one year,” Tengco said.
He also disclosed that PAGCOR is exploring artificial intelligence tools to track betting behavior and flag when losses outweigh winnings. At the same time, the agency awaits a decision from the Governance Commission for GOCCs on its proposal to become a pure regulator instead of serving both as a regulator and an operator.
“My position is that PAGCOR should purely be a regulatory agency rather than being a regulator and an operator, and the entire PAGCOR Board is on board with this position,” Tengco said, adding that employees would be given incentives and reemployment opportunities should the shift be approved.
