House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Joey Salceda applauded the efforts of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) in reforming the offshore gaming industry, despite calls from some senators for a total ban.
Joey Salceda said that despite issuing fewer licenses, PAGCOR will receive 71% more revenue from new Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) in 2023 than in 2022.
Salceda applauded PAGCOR for enforcing stricter regulations, saying they had "changed the situation" by eliminating dishonest players and ensuring that offshore gambling developed into a "controlled but contributing industry."
Data showed that the amount received from 87 IGLs in 2023 (P5.1 billion) was a significant improvement from the P2.99 billion received from 158 POGOs in 2022. Salceda supports this strategy and advocates improving the licensing system and strengthening enforcement rather than letting companies go out of business entirely.
In addition, he has seen changes in the workforce: IGL now directly employs about 8,500 Chinese workers, while POGO employs up to 200,000 workers directly and indirectly. He added that currently, about 25,000 of IGL’s 100,000 indirect employees are Filipinos.
Salceda claimed that PAGCOR should receive more credit for its initiatives to improve the company's position and develop a more resilient business plan.
