State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) defended online gaming as a major source of government revenue, even as it warned against unregulated sites that prey on Filipino players.
PAGCOR chairman and chief executive Alejandro Tengco said in a report to the House Committee on Games and Amusements that the licensed online gaming sector generated P69 billion in license fees from January to July 2025.
He said that of that amount, P41 billion came from electronic games, while P28 billion was from other online game offerings.
“Because of its huge potential, online gaming has become an important source of funds for our nation-building commitments, including PAGCOR’s support for education, health care, and community development,” Tengco said in a statement.
He said that in the first seven months of 2025, online gaming contributed P27.47 billion to nation-building, funding corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, including P14.72 billion for the Universal Health Care Law.
Other projects benefiting from the online gaming sector include the construction of school buildings, socio-civic centers and e-learning hubs.
“Every peso we collect from the gaming sector translates to meaningful projects such as classrooms for our children, health programs for our people, and safe spaces for communities in times of calamity,” Tengco said.
He also cautioned about the growing threat from illegal online operators, which he said entice players of all ages without proper safeguards.
“These illegal sites not only deprive the government of much-needed revenues but also expose Filipino players to numerous risks,” he said.Tengco vowed stronger enforcement against such platforms. “PAGCOR is committed to strengthening
