The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has released a new report indicating that licensed online gambling has become a significant source of revenue for the national treasury, while also warning of the potential risks posed by illegal operators.
From January to July 2025, the total license fees collected from licensed online games reached 69 billion Philippine pesos (approximately 1.22 billion US dollars), with 41 billion coming from electronic games and the remaining 28 billion from other online forms. Alejandro H. Tengco, Chairman and CEO of PAGCOR, stated that this growth is crucial for national development.
Of the total revenue, 27.47 billion pesos were used to support national construction projects, including an allocation of 14.72 billion pesos for the Universal Health Care Act, as well as funding for the construction of public schools, community centers, and e-learning centers. PAGCOR is also one of the largest corporate social responsibility fund donors in the country, actively participating in infrastructure development and disaster response.
Tengco emphasized that every peso of gambling revenue is directly used to improve the lives of Filipinos, and the regulated gambling industry will continue to support sectors such as education, healthcare, and community development. However, he also warned that the number of illegal online gambling sites is increasing, and these unlicensed platforms not only harm government revenue but also pose risks to players.
He added that PAGCOR will continue to strengthen law enforcement to ensure that only authorized operators can provide online gambling services in the Philippines, protecting both national finances and player safety.
