Latest news with #PhilippineAmusementandGamingCorporation
GMA Network
a day ago
- Business
- GMA Network
PH gaming industry grows 26% to P214.75B in H1 2025 — PAGCOR
The country's gaming industry saw a double-digit growth in terms of total revenues, reaching over P200 billion in the first half of 2025, thanks to continued popularity of online or digital betting among Filipinos. Data released by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) showed the sector's gross gaming revenues (GGR) stood at P214.75 billion from January to June 2025, up 26% from P171 billion year-on-year. This as the electronic gaming sector — composed of e-games, e-bingo, and bingo grantees – continued to outpace traditional or brick-and-mortar gaming with P114.83 billion in gross revenues or 53.47% of total GGR. Meanwhile, licensed casinos — comprised of integrated resorts and brick-and-mortar casinos in Metro Manila, Clark, Cebu, La Union and Rizal — accounted for 43.47% or P93.36 billion of the industry's GGR. PAGCOR-operated casinos, moreover, contributed the remaining 3.06% or P6.56 billion to the overall industry performance. 'PAGCOR recognizes the earning potential of the e-games sector, but as the country's gaming regulator, our foremost responsibility is to ensure that growth comes with accountability,' said PAGCOR chairman Alejandro Tengco. 'Our role goes beyond revenue generation; and as partners of the government in nation-building, we are committed to always strike a balance between enabling industry expansion and ensuring it aligns with responsible gaming standards,' added Tengco. The PAGCOR chief noted that the gaming industry regulator recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ad Standards Council (ASC) to strengthen the monitoring of gambling-related advertisements across all platforms. It also recently ordered the takedown of all gambling ads in public spaces and primetime TV by August 15 this year. 'These efforts are part of our broader mission to ensure that online gambling is not only well-regulated but also aligned with public interest,' said Tengco. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos to launch new national sports dev't program
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. on Monday vowed to launch a new national sports development program for Filipinos in a bid to strengthen its grassroots program. "Magbubuhos tayo ng todo-suporta sa mga palaro at mga atleta sa buong bansa. Halimbawa, ang Palarong Pambansa, at ang Batang Pinoy Games na gaganapin sa General Santos City ngayong Oktubre," Marcos said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA). (We will give our full support to sports and athletes across the country. For example, the Palarong Pambansa and the Batang Pinoy Games, which will be held in General Santos City this October.) "Bubuo tayo ng bagong pambansang programa sa sports development. Uumpisahan natin ito sa paaralan pa lamang. Ibabalik natin ang mga sports clubs at magsasagawa tayo ng mga palaro at intrams sa lahat ng mga pampublikong paaralan." (We will create a new national sports development program. We will start it right in schools. We will bring back sports clubs, and we will hold games and intramurals in all public schools.) Marcos said the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation will make sure that support will be given to athletes and the country's sports program. The president also cited Filipino athletes making their names on the world stage, such as Manny Pacquiao, Hidilyn Diaz, and Carlos Yulo. Marcos also included Philippine National Police chief General Nicolas Torre III among the country's new 'champions' after winning by default on Sunday in his supposed match against Davao City acting mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
PAGCOR: Casinos' gross gaming revenue hits P93.36 billion in H1 2025
'Of the P93.36 billion generated by the integrated resort casinos, P16 billion was paid to PAGCOR as license fees, ensuring funding for government social services and driving the country's economic growth,' PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengo said in his remarks at the Philippine Hotel Connect 2025 on Thursday. Integrated resort-casinos in the country have generated nearly a hundred billion pesos in gross gaming revenues (GGR) in the first half of 2025, according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). 'Of the P93.36 billion generated by the integrated resort casinos, P16 billion was paid to PAGCOR as license fees, ensuring funding for government social services and driving the country's economic growth,' PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengo said in his remarks at the Philippine Hotel Connect 2025 on Thursday. Tengco said the resort-casinos accounted for nearly half of the local gaming industry's total GGR of P215 billion from January to June 2025. The PAGCOR chief said that aside from contributing to government revenues, integrated resort casinos also helped position the Philippines as a competitive tourism destination. 'We have seen time and again how a thriving hospitality sector can drive employment, fuel trade, revive local enterprises, and bridge communities. 'And nowhere is this more evident than in the huge tourism contributions from our licensed integrated resort casinos within and outside Metro Manila,' Tengco said. The PAGCOR chief, however, emphasized the need to impose safeguards in the gaming sector through effective regulation and responsible gaming practices. Tengco cited a recent move to remove gambling advertisements from areas frequented by minors and its memorandum of understanding with the Ad Standards Council to implement stricter gaming advertising guidelines. 'As the gaming industry expands, so must our safeguards,' he said. 'Hence, we have taken a firm stance against the proliferation of illegal and unregulated gaming operations that offer no safety nets or protection to players and, more importantly, no remittance or any form of revenue to the government,' he added. The PAGCOR chief called for continued collaboration between the government and the private sector to maintain the momentum of tourism recovery and long-term economic gains. –NB, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Tulfo Urges Probe, Penalties for Gov't Officials Tied to Online Gambling
Senator Raffy Tulfo has called for a thorough investigation and strict sanctions against government officials allegedly involved in the rise of online gambling in the Philippines. In a press briefing, Tulfo stressed that public officials should act in the interest of Filipinos, not in support of businesses that harm the public. He urged concerned agencies to file complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan against officials proven to be complicit. Tulfo also announced plans to file a bill seeking a total ban on all forms of online gambling in the country, including those accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). He argued that mere regulation is not enough to curb the industry's harmful effects. He cited alarming reports of young students becoming addicted to online gambling, neglecting school, and even resorting to theft. 'It's time to step on the brakes,' he said, insisting that the social costs far outweigh potential government revenues, estimated at ₱140 billion. Tulfo expressed hope that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will address online gambling in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), calling it a pressing national issue.
Bangkok Post
11-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Philippines orders removal of gambling ads amid addiction fears
The Philippines' gaming regulator has ordered the immediate dismantling of all gambling billboards and advertisements across the country amid worries over a growing betting addiction in the Southeast Asian nation. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation or Pagcor has given licensees, suppliers and gaming venue operators until Aug 15 to remove ad materials, including those displayed on public transport vehicles, according to a statement from the agency on Friday. 'Regulating excessive and pervasive gambling advertisements is a critical step in protecting vulnerable sectors of society, especially the youth,' Pagcor Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro Tengco said. While the gaming agency is mandated to generate state revenue, 'we do not want to encourage a culture of gambling addiction,' he said. The move comes as the gaming industry is under increasing scrutiny following an unprecedented boom in online gambling that critics fear could lead to social problems. In Thailand, the government withdrew a bill to legalise casinos following mounting public opposition. Revenue from online gaming surpassed that from integrated resort casinos this year for the first time in the Philippines, Asia's second-largest gambling hub after Macau. Calls have mounted in Congress to curb online gambling with one lawmaker seeking tighter regulation of the sector. The central bank is also considering limits to gaming access via digital platforms.
