The head of the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) called for stricter regulations on online gaming, arguing that an outright ban would only encourage illegal operations and cost the government much-needed revenue.
PAGCOR chairman and chief executive Alejandro H. Tengco told industry stakeholders at the Light & Wonder iGaming Symposium that reforms implemented by the state-run gaming firm, including a reduction in license fees, had spurred strong growth in the electronic gaming sector.
Gross gaming revenues (GGR) from electronic games soared to P154.51 billion pesos in 2024 from P58.16 billion in 2023. The sector accounted for nearly half of the industry’s total GGR of 372.33 billion pesos, said Tengco.
He said that in the first half of 2025, the sector contributed P114.83 billion, surpassing revenues from land-based operations and boosting PAGCOR’s total revenues to P59 billion.
“The iGaming story in the Philippines is no longer just about growth; it’s about how we grow — safely, fairly, and sustainably,” Tengco said.
“We support stricter regulations to protect our people, but we are against a total ban, which will only drive players to illegal operators and result in loss of revenues and jobs,” he said.
Tengco listed ongoing reforms, including separating PAGCOR’s regulatory and operational functions, implementing stronger responsible gaming safeguards and adopting new digital tools such as a 24/7 helpline and AI-driven monitoring systems.
He called on industry players to practice “compliance by design,” strictly follow anti-money laundering regulations, strengthen their “Know Your Customer” (KYC) guidelines, and fully support PAGCOR’s responsible gaming initiatives.
“With responsible growth, compliance, and transparency, the Philippines can develop a safer, stronger, and globally competitive iGaming industry,” he said.
 advocates for tougher rules on online gaming, warning that a ban would lead to illegal operations and revenue loss for the government.){kind=link}