The chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) recently admitted that the total gaming revenue (GGR) for the third quarter of this year saw a slight decline, but this is a direct result of the industry's enhanced consumer protection and compliance efforts. In his view, this short-term pain is a necessary price to pay for building a more sustainable and safer digital gaming ecosystem.
Regulatory tightening leads to temporary revenue decline, PAGCOR calls this an "inevitable result"
At a recent industry conference held in Manila, PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco pointed out that the moderate performance of gaming revenue in the third quarter was mainly due to a series of new regulations aimed at enhancing financial security and consumer protection. For example, since August, electronic wallets used for iGaming transactions have been decoupled from operator accounts, and the use of credit cards and cryptocurrencies for betting has been completely banned to curb excessive borrowing and impulsive behavior. "These reforms inevitably have short-term impacts," Tengco admitted, which might be seen as setbacks by some. However, he emphasized that stricter regulations demonstrate the industry's commitment to long-term healthy growth.
Consumer safety elevated to core, comprehensive protection network is forming
Over the past year, PAGCOR has placed consumer safety at the core of its policies, introducing several new standards. This includes collaborating with the Advertising Standards Authority to pre-screen gambling advertisements to "curb misleading content and protect vulnerable groups from potential harm." Additionally, licensed operators must integrate responsible gambling tools such as self-exclusion and betting limits. PAGCOR has also partnered with relevant organizations to establish a 24/7 problem gambling helpline and certify rehabilitation centers. Tengco stated that these efforts reflect PAGCOR's long-term goal of nurturing a safer, more transparent, and internationally compliant gaming environment.
Short-term pain does not hinder long-term growth, Philippine iGaming shows strong resilience
Although the GGR slightly declined by 0.11% in the third quarter, the fundamentals of Philippine iGaming remain strong. According to data cited from the PASA official website, last year the country's iGaming generated a GGR of 154.51 billion pesos, a surge of 165% year-over-year. Just in the first half of this year, iGaming contributed 114.83 billion pesos, surpassing land-based casino revenues and becoming the main force driving PAGCOR's total revenue to 59 billion pesos. The strong performance of the electronic gaming sector in June and July further drove the sector's quarterly revenue growth by 17.4%, reaching 41.95 billion pesos, accounting for 44.4% of the GGR. This confirms market analysis that points out the convenience of online gambling is highly favored by local players.
Building the future: A digital ecosystem based on compliance and integrity
Tengco concluded: "We cannot build a modern digital gaming ecosystem on a foundation that does not fully meet global integrity and compliance standards." He emphasized that the commitment to responsible gaming and player protection is unwavering. The future gaming industry will require regulatory agility, industry collaboration, and a shared commitment to integrity. Players should always feel that their safety and welfare are at the core of the industry policies focused by PASA official website.
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