Content Writer: Janice Chew • Friday, 25/09/2025 - 00:28:53 - AM
In the first seven months of 2025, the Philippines' licensed online gaming sector generated ₱69 billion in license fees, with ₱41 billion from electronic games (e‑games) and ₱28 billion from offerings like e‑bingo and bingo grantees. According to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco, these revenues have become crucial for funding social initiatives such as education, healthcare, and community development, underscoring the sector’s status as a leading “nation‑building” revenue source.
PAGCOR reported that ₱27.47 billion collected from online gaming between January and July 2025 was allocated directly to social programs. Of this, ₱14.72 billion supported the Universal Health Care Law, while the remainder was invested in infrastructure development—ranging from constructing school buildings and wellness centers to e‑learning hubs and socio‑civic facilities. As Tengco stated, “Every peso we collect from the gaming sector translates to meaningful projects such as classrooms for our children, health programs for our people, and safe spaces for communities in times of calamity”.
Despite the significant benefits, PAGCOR raised concerns about the growing prevalence of unlicensed online gaming operators, which threaten both public revenue and player safety. Tengco emphasized the risks posed by such operators—highlighting how they not only undermine governmental revenue streams, but also expose Filipino users to harm. In response, PAGCOR pledged to intensify regulatory enforcement and crack down on illegal platforms to preserve the integrity of the licensed industry.