PAGCOR advances decoupling plans as gaming revenues head for record year | Yogonet International

Summary

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the regulator is pushing ahead with plans to separate (decouple) its commercial operations from its regulatory duties, arguing the dual role is no longer appropriate as the industry matures.

Tengco highlighted the Philippines’ strong revenue performance: electronic gaming helped drive $3.8 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in H1 2025, with industry GGR rising from $3.75bn in 2022 to $6.5bn in 2024 and the sector on track for a $7bn full-year target. PAGCOR reported its own revenues of $1bn for January–June 2025.

Alongside growth, PAGCOR has introduced tighter oversight and player-protection measures (a public verification page, self-exclusion and betting limits, a 24/7 helpline) and tightened rules on payment methods, advertising and illegal online activity. Tengco also noted the Philippines’ removal from the FATF grey list as bolstering investor confidence.

Source

Source: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/09/11/115294-pagcor-advances-decoupling-plans-as-gaming-revenues-head-for-record-year

Key Points

H1 2025 GGR reached $3.8bn; industry moving toward a $7bn full-year target.
PAGCOR revenues for Jan–Jun 2025 totalled $1bn.
PAGCOR is proposing to decouple its commercial operations from its regulatory role — a change that needs GOCC Governance Commission approval and legislative amendments to PD 1869 / RA 9487.
Electronic and online gaming are the main growth drivers, prompting calls for stronger oversight and player protection.
New measures include a public PAGCOR Guarantee verification page, self-exclusion and betting limits, a 24/7 helpline, bans on credit-card and cryptocurrency wagering, and tighter ad rules with the Ad Standards Council.
Increased cooperation with law enforcement and cybercrime units targets illegal online activity.
The Philippines’ removal from the FATF grey list in 2025 is cited as a milestone improving investor confidence and AML compliance perception.

Why should I read this?

Short and blunt: if you follow Asian gaming markets, regulation or investment in Philippines gambling, this story tells you where the market is going — fast growth, tougher rules, and a potential structural change in who runs what. It’s basically the playbook for the next few years in the Philippines gaming scene.

Context and relevance

The piece is important because it links strong market performance with regulatory reform. Rapid growth in electronic and online gaming is driving record revenues, but it also creates risks — player harm, advertising excesses, money‑laundering exposure — that PAGCOR is moving to address. Decoupling would align the Philippines with international best practice by separating commercial interests from oversight, a shift that could affect operators, investors and policy-makers across the region.

Author’s note (punchy)

PAGCOR’s figures aren’t just numbers — they’re the reason regulators are rethinking their role. Decoupling would be a big structural change; keep an eye on the Governance Commission and any legislative moves. This is a must-watch for operators and compliance teams.