PAGCOR chair opposes total online gambling ban citing revenue loss

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Alejandro Tengco opposes a total ban on online gambling, warning of significant revenue losses for the government.

Tengco stated that license fees alone from online gambling reached approximately P50 billion in 2024, and the government earns over P100 billion annually from the sector.

He argued that outlawing the industry could cost the government hundreds of billions of pesos in lost revenue.

PAGCOR estimates that only 45 to 50 percent of online gaming activity is monitored by authorities, with the rest operating in a digital grey zone often run by offshore syndicates targeting Filipino players.

Tengco advocates for stricter regulations rather than a ban, emphasizing that regulation is key to addressing industry issues and that illegal sites operating from outside the Philippines cause most problems.

A total ban would harm Filipinos more by removing control and regulation, and PAGCOR is considering restrictions on online gambling advertisements.

Legislative action is anticipated as similar bills seeking an outright prohibition of internet gambling have been filed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, including a bill by Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano and a similar measure by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.