PAGCOR income plunges up to 50% after e-wallets cut gambling links | AGB
Summary
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) reported a 40–50% drop in income within the first two weeks after major e-wallet providers removed in-app links to online gambling, following a directive from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The decline was disclosed by Assistant VP Jessa Mariz Fernandez at a Senate hearing on 16 September 2025. The BSP ordered GCash and Maya to delink gambling icons and links, with full disconnection completed by 17 August. While licensed operators remain recognised as merchants (so cash in/out is still possible), the immediate revenue impact for PAGCOR and uncertainty about the longer-term effects have fuelled policy debate.
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) welcomed the move as a harm-reduction step. Lawmakers are split between proposals to ban online gambling outright and calls for tighter regulation and levies. PAGCOR says it favours strict regulation over prohibition. To improve enforcement, PAGCOR plans to roll out an AI-powered monitoring tool to detect and help block unlicensed gambling sites in real time, coordinating with the CICC, NTC and DICT to tackle thousands of illegal operators.
Key Points
- PAGCOR reported a 40–50% income decline in the first two weeks after e-wallets removed gambling links.
- The BSP directed GCash and Maya to remove gambling icons and in-app links; full disconnection was ordered by 17 August.
- Licensed operators remain merchants, allowing regulated cash-in and cash-out channels to continue.
- E-wallets signalled willingness to comply with future measures such as caps on gambling top-ups and tighter lending monitoring.
- Senators are divided: several bills seek an outright ban while others favour stricter regulation, harm-reduction measures or levies.
- PAGCOR plans an AI-based real-time monitoring tool to detect illegal sites (about 11,985 previously identified) and accelerate blocking with partner agencies.
Why should I read this?
Short version: if you work in gaming, payments, compliance or policy in the Philippines (or watch APAC markets), this is a biggie. E-wallet delinking has slashed regulator revenue fast, prompted fresh lawmaking chatter and pushed PAGCOR to adopt AI for enforcement. We read the hearing so you don’t have to — but you should follow the full story if you’re exposed to payments or operator risk.
Context and relevance
This development matters because it shows how payment infrastructure changes can instantly reshape gambling revenue and regulatory dynamics. For operators it raises commercial and compliance risks; for e-wallets it signals closer scrutiny and potential product restrictions; for policymakers it frames a pivotal moment between prohibition and regulated frameworks. The move also illustrates a wider trend: digital payments controls being used as levers for social policy, and regulators adopting tech (AI monitoring) to close enforcement gaps.
Author style
Punchy: This is essential reading for stakeholders in APAC gaming and payments — a fast revenue shock, a policy flashpoint and a tech-led enforcement pivot all in one hearing.