The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has signaled that further changes to the country's gaming regulations are inevitable as the industry and the risks surrounding it continue to evolve.
Speaking at The Regulators Forum in Pasay City, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said the agency would continue adjusting its regulatory framework as experience provides a clearer picture of which measures are effective and where further improvements are required.
The comments build on regulatory reforms already underway in the Philippines rather than marking a new shift in direction. PAGCOR has been working toward separating its regulatory and operating functions, alongside broader changes affecting online gaming, advertising, payments and responsible gambling.
The proposed separation remains under review by the Governance Commission for GOCCs. Once that process is completed, the proposal is expected to move to the Office of the President for consideration. An executive order would be required to implement the change.
Meanwhile, regulators are responding to emerging compliance issues within the online sector.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently proposed tighter merchant-screening rules after identifying accounts allegedly processing payments for unregistered online casinos. More than 8,000 merchant accounts suspected of illegal activity have been closed.
The proposed requirements would require payment providers to collect additional information on merchants, including ownership and licensing details, while maintaining databases of verified businesses.
PAGCOR has acknowledged that some unregistered online casinos have used merchant names unrelated to gambling and is cooperating with the BSP.
The latest developments reinforce an ongoing regulatory shift in the Philippines, with Tengco indicating that the framework will continue to change as authorities respond to new technologies, payment methods and market practices.
PAGCOR's proposed separation of functions is awaiting further government review
