PAGCOR warns against illegal sites amid surge in online gaming revenue
PHP 69bn collected in licence fees from January to July.
Key points:
– PHP 69bn ($1.22bn) in licence fees collected from licensed online gaming in Jan–Jul 2025
– PHP 27.47bn directed to nation-building programmes
– PAGCOR warns of increasing risks from illegal operators targeting Filipinos
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has reported that licensed online gaming has become a key contributor to government revenues this year, while also issuing a caution over the threat posed by unregulated platforms.
From January to July 2025, the licensed sector brought in PHP 69bn in licence fees, with PHP 41bn from electronic games and PHP 28bn from other online formats. PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the sector’s growth is proving vital for national development efforts.
Of the total income, PHP 27.47bn was channelled into nation-building programmes. This included PHP 14.72bn allocated to the Universal Health Care Law. Other initiatives supported through these funds include the construction of public school buildings, socio-civic centres, and e-learning hubs.
Good to know: PAGCOR is one of the country’s largest contributors to corporate social responsibility funding, supporting both infrastructure and disaster response projects
Tengco emphasised that each peso collected from gaming is used to fund programmes that directly improve the lives of Filipinos. He added that regulated gaming continues to support the broader goals of education, healthcare and community development.
However, he warned of a growing number of illegal online gaming operators. These unlicensed sites, according to Tengco, not only rob the government of potential income but also put players at risk due to a lack of proper oversight.
He stressed PAGCOR’s commitment to tightening enforcement to ensure that only authorised operators are allowed to run online gaming services in the country.
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