PAGCOR pushes tougher oversight on e-gaming

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January 23, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) underscored the need for robust and effective regulatory enforcement to sustain growth in the online gaming sector as it addressed global industry leaders at the ICE Barcelona 2026 in Spain.

PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said the rapid expansion of digital gaming has fundamentally reshaped the industry. It erased borders, accelerated innovation and exposed regulatory gaps that traditional systems were not designed to manage.

“The greatest threat to both regulators and licensed operators is not higher standards,” Tengco told an international audience of regulators, policymakers and industry stakeholders. “It is the continued presence of illegal and unregulated actors that undermines trust and distorts competition.”

Tengco cited the Philippines’ recent regulatory reset as an example of how jurisdictions must respond decisively to emerging risks.

He pointed to the government’s decision to ban Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO), a policy fully enforced by the end of 2024 after offshore gaming was linked to criminal activities such as fraud and money laundering, among others.

Alongside the POGO ban, PAGCOR intensified reforms across the licensed online gaming sector, shifting toward a more player-centric regulatory approach.

These measures include tighter know-your-customer and identity verification standards, mandatory responsible gaming tools such as self-exclusion and betting limits as well as stricter controls on gambling advertising to protect minors and vulnerable groups.

Tengco said financial safeguards were also strengthened through restrictions on certain payment channels and the introduction of a new minimum guaranteed fee for licensed online operators. The move aims to ensure fair contribution to government revenues and promote transparency in the sector.

“Regulation is not about avoiding discomfort,” Tengco said. “It is about building a system that is resilient, accountable and worthy of public trust.”

He also highlighted PAGCOR’s ongoing efforts to decouple its regulatory and commercial functions, describing the reform as necessary to strengthen regulatory independence and align the Philippines with international best practices.