The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) outlined its latest regulatory reforms at ICE Barcelona 2026, focusing enforcement measures aimed at curbing illegal gambling and strengthening oversight of the country’s licensed online gaming sector.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco addressed the challenges posed by the rapid expansion of digital gaming, noting that online platforms have removed geographic boundaries and exposed limitations in traditional regulatory models.
At the conference, Tengco said: “The greatest threat to both regulators and licensed operators is not higher standards. It is the continued presence of illegal and unregulated actors that undermines trust and distorts competition.”
The Philippines moved to overhaul its regulatory framework following a series of risks linked to offshore gaming operations. The government fully enforced a ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations by the end of 2024, after authorities connected the sector to fraud, money laundering and other criminal activities.
Since then, PAGCOR has introduced tighter controls across the licensed online gaming market, including stricter know-your-customer and identity verification requirements, mandatory responsible gaming tools such as self-exclusion and betting limits, and enhanced advertising restrictions aimed at protecting minors and vulnerable players.
Financial oversight has also been reinforced through limits on certain payment channels and the introduction of a minimum guaranteed fee for licensed operators, designed to ensure consistent revenue contributions and improve transparency.
Tengco said: “Regulation is not about avoiding discomfort. It is about building a system that is resilient, accountable and worthy of public trust.”
The regulator is also working toward separating its regulatory and commercial functions, a reform intended to strengthen institutional independence and align with international best practices.
Tengco said: “As PAGCOR transitions toward a purely regulatory role, our focus is to set clear rules, enforce them consistently and create a gaming ecosystem that is fair, competitive and resilient.”
ICE Barcelona 2026, organized by Clarion Gaming at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, brings together regulators, operators and policymakers to discuss global regulatory trends and market developments.
Alejandro H. Tengco is the Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, overseeing the regulator’s shift toward stricter enforcement, the phaseout of offshore gaming operations and a broader overhaul of the Philippines’ online gaming framework
