Amidst continued speculation about the future of online gaming in the Philippines, PAGCOR has underpinned the significant economic impact of the regulated sector.
PAGCOR Chair and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco emphasised that a significant amount of fees stems from licensing in the country.
Tengco stated: “Because of its huge potential, online gaming has become an important source of funds for our nation-building commitments, including PAGCOR’s support for education, health care, and community development.
“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. This is how we ensure that gaming directly benefits Filipinos.”
PAGCOR and President Marcos’ Government have been at loggerheads in recent months as the country sits on the cusp of a new era of gambling regulation.
Speculation over a total ban on the vertical has been rife, with local media reporting that a total of four bills, three resolutions and a privilege speech addressing the impact of the online gaming industry will be discussed by the Philippine Senate’s Committee on Games and Amusements.
PAGCOR is not only pointing to the economic impact of the regulated market as a key reason for the market not to be outlawed, but also the looming threat of the black market.
“These illegal sites not only deprive the government of much-needed revenues but also expose Filipino players to numerous risks,” Tengco noted.
The PAGCOR CEO underpinned enhanced enforcement against the illegal sector, emphasising its “commitment to strengthening regulation and enforcement to ensure that only legitimate and properly monitored operators are allowed to operate”.
Recent research revealed specific concerns over the continued offering of e-sabong, also known as cockfighting.
Central to the enticing of players to the black market was the allure of juiced-up bonuses of 108%, epitomising the hurdles faced by the regulated market when it comes to tackling engagement with illegal operators.
At the heart of the differentiation in marketing approaches is the affiliate strategy undertaken by both the regulated and the unregulated sectors.
The report revealed that many unregulated operators provide lucrative affiliate programs, sometimes offering 45–65% of gross gaming revenue to attract strong collaborations.
iGaming Expert Analysis: The news narrative tug of war shows no signs of slowing in the Philippines. As we hurtle towards legislative clarity PAGCOR will be doing all it can to underpin the threat of the black market, in a bid to avoid what it would depict as disastrous prohibition action from Marcos’ government.
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