Online gaming has become one of the government’s biggest revenue sources this year, the state-owned Philippine News Agency reported, citing a Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) statement to lawmakers.
From January to July 2025, licensed online gaming operators generated ₱69 billion in license fees, according to a report submitted to the House Committee on Games and Amusements. Of this, ₱41 billion came from electronic games (e-Games) while another ₱28 billion came from other online offerings, Pagcor Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro Tengco said.
Tengco emphasized that revenues from the gaming sector fund “nation-building commitments,” with ₱27.47 billion already allocated in the first seven months of the year. This includes ₱14.72 billion for the Universal Health Care Law, along with funding for new classrooms, wellness centers, e-learning hubs, and community facilities.
“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,” Tengco said in the statement.
However, the Pagcor chief warned of growing threats from unregulated gaming websites, which often target players of all ages without safeguards. These illegal platforms not only deprive the government of revenue, Tengco said, but also expose Filipino users to fraud, addiction, and other risks.
“Pagcor is committed to strengthening regulation and enforcement to ensure that only legitimate and properly monitored operators are allowed to operate,” he added.
The regulator said it will continue working with government agencies to crack down on illegal online operators while expanding the licensed sector to maximize contributions to public services.
