PAGCOR wants stricter regulations, not total ban on illicit gambling
Alejandro Tengco, Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), has expressed support for stricter regulations on online gambling while opposing a complete ban.
In an interview with DZMM Teleradyo, Alejandro Tengco emphasized the need to regulate unregistered online gambling platforms rather than eliminate the industry entirely.
Speaking in Filipino, Tengco stated, “PAGCOR’s current stance is not for a total ban on online gambling, but rather, stricter regulation.”
He noted that shutting down all illicit online gambling sites would be challenging, as only around 45-50% of the market is currently regulated, with many illegal platforms, likely operating from abroad, targeting Filipino users.
Alejandro Tengco highlighted the economic significance of the industry to the Philippines, outline that PAGCOR generated approximately P50 billion ($883k) in license fees in 2024, excluding taxes paid by licensed operators to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
The online gambling sector directly employs around 32,000 people, with additional jobs supported by support businesses such as security, transportation, and food services, which could be impacted by a total ban.
Further efforts to combat illegal operationsThe PAGCOR chief also endorsed Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s proposed legislation to crack down on illegal online gambling and to strengthen regulations. The measures included in the bill are aimed at preventing minors from accessing online gambling platforms, as well as introducing minimum bet stakes and setting deposit amounts to reduce gambling-related harm
Last month, the Philippine government shut down 7000 unlicensed gambling websites as the country tries to curb addiction to the platforms, but as many are closed, others pop up. This gives credit to Tengco’s plan for stricter regulations rather than instant prohibition of unregulated sites.
The PAGCOR authority has also continued to work closely with the Bureau of Immigration, most recently to deport foreign workers involved in illicit offshore gaming operations.
Image credit: Inquirer
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